US Senate okays $95 billion for Kyiv, Israel, Taiwan

Washington, February 13

The US Senate early Tuesday passed a USD 95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, pushing ahead after months of difficult negotiations and amid growing political divisions in the Republican Party over the role of the US abroad. The vote came after a few Republicans, opposed to the USD 60 billion for Ukraine, held the Senate floor through the night, using the final hours of debate to argue that the US should focus on its own problems before sending more money overseas. But more than a dozen Republicans voted with almost all Democrats to pass the package 70-29, with supporters arguing that abandoning Ukraine could embolden Russia and threaten national security across the globe.

Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas are making progress towards a deal that aims to bring about a ceasefire and free hostages held in the Gaza Strip, said two officials. Key meetings are continuing in the Egyptian capital. — Agencies