US defense budget earmarks $300 million for Ukraine
Ukraine will get U.S. $300 million in security assistance from the United States next year under the annual U.S. defense bill, which was passed by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 15 with 88 votes in favor and 11 against.
The bill foresees $50 million more in military aid for Ukraine than initially requested by the White House.
Despite some lawmakers feeling that Nord Stream 2, the Russo-German natural gas pipeline “could be weaponized against Ukraine,” the final draft of the bill did not include any sanctions on the pipeline operator.
Among other provisions of the $770 billion defense budget are:
● a 2.7 percent pay rise for Pentagon military and civilian staff.
● 12 weeks parental leave for all service members.
● The creation of an independent commission tasked with investigating 20 years of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, as well as the eventual U.S. military withdrawal.
The bill was earlier passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, and is now set to be signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden.
The U.S. defense budget for 2021 provided $250 million in military assistance to Ukraine, and foresaw additional sanctions related to Nord Stream 2.
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