$1 Billion Ukraine Aid Begins
Biden Camp "Will Continue Using TikTok in Campaign"
U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $95 billion security aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and others that passed Congress. The U.S. Department of Defense plans to immediately provide $1 billion worth of weapons, including missiles and shells, to Ukraine. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to force the sale of the Chinese video-sharing platform TikTok, but Biden's presidential campaign has stated it will continue to use TikTok for election campaigning, showing contradictory actions.
On the 24th (local time), President Biden said at the White House after signing the related bill, "We will send equipment for air defense ammunition, artillery, rocket systems, and armored vehicles to Ukraine within hours."
Regarding the Ukraine aid package, which had been stalled in Congress for over half a year before being passed, he evaluated it as a signal that political consensus on U.S. national security interests remains valid.
President Biden said, "We are not moving away from our allies but standing with them," adding, "We will not let dictators win and we oppose them." He emphasized, "Being a necessary nation means exactly this," and "This is what it means to be the world's greatest power and the world's best democracy."
The U.S. is expected to deliver $1 billion worth of weapons within days as part of the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. This includes air defense missiles, 155mm shells, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and TOW missiles.
The U.S. Department of Defense stated, "This package will significantly increase (Ukraine's) military supplies, weapons, and equipment," and "It will support Ukraine's ability to defend the front lines, protect cities, and respond to Russia's ongoing attacks."
Earlier, the U.S. Senate approved the $95 billion security aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and others on the 23rd, following the House's passage on the 20th. The bill also includes provisions to force the sale of TikTok's U.S. operations.
President Biden did not mention the forced sale of TikTok when signing the bill. However, the Biden campaign plans to continue using its TikTok account for election campaigning. The campaign told Bloomberg News that it is using TikTok with enhanced security measures as part of a strategy to reach as many voters as possible.
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