The US Senate approves more than 12,000 additional million in aid to Ukraine within the federal budget

Referendums in eastern Ukraine are "a futile effort" to "mask" Ukraine's land grab," according to Blinken

MADRID, 29 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The United States Senate has approved this Thursday 12,000 million dollars (12,220 million euros) in new economic and military aid for Ukraine as part of a provisional extension of the federal budget until December.

The bill, which has received 72 votes in favor to 25 against, will now go to the House of Representatives. US President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law before Friday, according to CNN.

The legislation had been delayed by West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who called for an additional provision that would speed up the federal permitting process for major energy projects, including oil pipelines and power lines.

"The last thing the American people need right now is a useless government shutdown," said Democrat and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, referring to the possibility of the federal government suspending the provision of all public services. the CNBC network.

On the other hand, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has explained that the "fake" referendums carried out by the pro-Russian authorities in eastern Ukraine are "a useless effort to mask a new attempt to appropriate Ukraine's lands. ".

"To be clear: the results were orchestrated in Moscow and do not reflect the will of the people of Ukraine. The United States does not and will never recognize the legitimacy or the result of these referendums," he said in a statement.

Blinken has specified that the "illegitimate show" of the pro-Russian authorities violates International Law. "It is an affront to the principles of international peace and security," he recalled, adding that Moscow "has forced" part of the population of the occupied areas to flee and those who have stayed to vote "at gunpoint." ", "fearing for his safety and the safety of his loved ones."

"The people of Ukraine have always expressed their desire for a free and democratic future. They want their country to remain independent and sovereign. Their soldiers are fighting bravely, and citizens in the areas of Ukraine controlled or occupied by Russia are resisting the Moscow's efforts to change Ukraine's internationally recognized borders by brute force," he concluded.