U.S. Senate on aid to Ukraine: It won't be adopted by end of 2023

According to the joint statement made by Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Democrats and Republicans "are making encouraging progress" on a border security agreement.

The senators emphasize that they will seek ways to address border issues and funding for assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

"The Senate will not let these national security challenges go unanswered. As negotiators work through remaining issues, it is our hope that their efforts will allow the Senate to take swift action on the national security supplemental early in the new year," the joint statement reads.

Schumer, quoted by Reuters, said that negotiators and the White House will continue working on the agreement.

"Our negotiators are going to be working very, very diligently over the December and January break period, and our goal is to get something done as soon as we get back," said the Senate Democratic leader.

Republican Representative John Thune also stated that an agreement will not be reached before January.

Backstory

On October 1, the U.S. Congress passed a temporary budget bill, which did not include new funding for Ukraine as it was decided to consider such an initiative separately. Afterward, U.S. President Joe Biden proposed allocating $106 billion to Congress, with the majority ( $60 billion) intended for assistance to Ukraine. The package also included aid to Israel.

After lengthy disputes, the U.S. approved a new temporary budget for the government without aid to Ukraine and Israel. Biden signed the law, helping to avoid a government shutdown.

It is also known that there are disagreements in the U.S. regarding strengthening the border with Mexico. Republicans demanded the passage of immigration legislation, threatening not to support funding for Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence that the U.S. would not let Ukraine down, and funding for assistance would be approved.