The US Congress has authorized $618.7 billion for the 2017 military budget. The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed in the Senate on Thursday with 92 votes in favor and seven opposing.
"According to the bill, from amounts authorized to be provided for security assistance to Ukraine, including lethal assistance, up to $350 million shall be available for fiscal year 2017, a $50 million increase from $300 million authorized in NDAA, 2016," it said.
"In light of Russia's continued aggression and repeated refusal to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereign right to choose its own destiny, we also renew our call for the United States to increase political, economic and military support for Ukraine," the letter, led by Senators Richard Durbin, a Democrat, and Rob Portman, a Republican, who are co-chairmen of the Senate Ukraine, says.
Rob Portman added that they look forward to working with Donald Trump and his new administration to support Ukraine and help it secure a peaceful and democratic future.
