U.S. Senate approves defense bill with $300M in military aid to Ukraine
News Line
Ukraine reports 5,276 new COVID-19 cases Zelensky: Every third Ukrainian considers road construction one of greatest achievements of 2021 Ukraine ready to implement Minsk agreements, but Russia's desire needed - Yermak Michel: EU unanimously agree to roll over economic sanctions against Russia Actions by Ukraine's partners will help prevent worst-case scenario - Zelensky COVID-19 in Ukraine: Health officials confirm 8,899 daily cases as of Dec 17 Macron tells Zelensky he declared support for Ukraine in call with Putin Zelensky, Scholz discuss gas transit through Ukraine after 2024 Ukraine ready for any format of talks with Russia - Zelensky Ukraine’s only journalist in Russia facing extremism charges - lawyer PM Shmyhal: First two applications for investment projects worth $96 million filed Zelensky, PM of Italy discuss security situation around Ukraine President signs off State Budget 2022 London considering all options for responding to Russia's aggression against Ukraine Putin, Biden to hold another round of talks Some 260,000 Ukrainians “victims of human trafficking” over 30 years - prosecutor general Ukraine plans to create center to protect energy infrastructure from cyber attacks No clear idea so far when Normandy Four top diplomats set to meet - German Ambassador Ukraine receives EUR 600M in macro-financial assistance from EU Zelensky holds phone conversation with PM of Israel Ukraine sets new daily COVID vaccination record MFA: European Union has not yet removed Ukraine from list of safe countries Kyiv records 1,023 new COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths G7 ambassadors welcome adoption of law on NABU status Ukraine can increase Covid vaccination rates to 1.5M a week – Liashko

The U.S. Senate has passed a version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2022 that authorizes $768.2 billion in defense spending and contains provisions on support for Ukraine.
The vote in the upper house of the U.S. Congress took place on Wednesday, December 15, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

A total of 88 lawmakers supported the measure, whereas 11 voted against it.

This year's defense budget - $25 billion more than requested by President Joe Biden - has been under consideration for an unusually long time due to a number of disputes among lawmakers.

The legislation provides $740 billion for the Pentagon. The remaining funds will be allocated to related programs that will determine U.S. defense policy abroad.

Among other provisions, the NDAA includes $300 million in military aid to Ukraine next year. At the same time, the document does not contain the amendment regarding the introduction of mandatory sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which was approved by the House of Representatives.

Some $4 billion will be spent for the European Defense Initiative and $150 million for Baltic security cooperation.

In addition, the document extends limitation on military cooperation between the United States and Russia and prohibits the availability of any funds on activities that will recognize Russia's sovereignty over the Ukrainian Crimea.

For the bill to come into force, both versions of the document passed in the lower and upper houses of Congress must be formally agreed upon, sent for approval to the White House and signed by the U.S. president.