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Zelenskiy Says Aid Approval to Ukraine Reinforces US Role as ‘Beacon of Democracy

Supporters of Ukraine hold flags outside the US Capitol Building after the Senate passed the 95 billion USD national security supplemental that includes aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 23 April 2024. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Supporters of Ukraine hold flags outside the US Capitol Building after the Senate passed the 95 billion USD national security supplemental that includes aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 23 April 2024. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
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Zelenskiy Says Aid Approval to Ukraine Reinforces US Role as ‘Beacon of Democracy

Supporters of Ukraine hold flags outside the US Capitol Building after the Senate passed the 95 billion USD national security supplemental that includes aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 23 April 2024. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Supporters of Ukraine hold flags outside the US Capitol Building after the Senate passed the 95 billion USD national security supplemental that includes aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 23 April 2024. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that the US Senate's approval of a multi-billion aid package for Ukraine reinforces America's role as a "beacon of democracy."

"I am grateful to the US Senate for (Tuesday's) approval of vital aid to Ukraine," Zelenskiy said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.
"This vote reinforces America's role as a beacon of democracy and leader of the free world."

The Senate approved by 79 to 18 four bills passed by the House of Representatives on Saturday, after House Republican leaders abruptly switched course last week and allowed a vote on the $95 billion in mostly military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and US partners in the Indo-Pacific.

The four bills were combined into one package in the Senate, which President Joe Biden said he would sign into law on Wednesday.

The largest provides $61 billion in critically needed funding for Ukraine; a second provides $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones around the world, and a third mandates $8.12 billion to "counter communist China" in the Indo-Pacific.
A fourth, which the House added to the package last week, includes a potential ban on the Chinese-controlled social media app TikTok, measures for the transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine and new sanctions on Iran.
Biden's administration is already preparing a $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine, the first sourced from the bill, two US officials told Reuters. It includes vehicles, Stinger air defense munitions, additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, 155 millimeter artillery ammunition, TOW and Javelin anti-tank munitions and other weapons that can immediately be put to use on the battlefield.

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North Korea’s Kim Oversees Test-Fire of Surface-to-Air Missiles

This picture taken on March 20, 2025 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on March 21, 2025 shows a test-fire of the latest anti-aircraft missile system to examine its comprehensive performance at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (KCNA via KNS / AFP)
This picture taken on March 20, 2025 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on March 21, 2025 shows a test-fire of the latest anti-aircraft missile system to examine its comprehensive performance at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (KCNA via KNS / AFP)
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North Korea’s Kim Oversees Test-Fire of Surface-to-Air Missiles

This picture taken on March 20, 2025 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on March 21, 2025 shows a test-fire of the latest anti-aircraft missile system to examine its comprehensive performance at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (KCNA via KNS / AFP)
This picture taken on March 20, 2025 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on March 21, 2025 shows a test-fire of the latest anti-aircraft missile system to examine its comprehensive performance at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (KCNA via KNS / AFP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-firing of the country's latest anti-aircraft missile system on Thursday, state media KCNA reported, as some experts said Pyongyang was probably getting technical help from Russia to perfect such systems.

Kim thanked what was referred to as a research group for the system. The test-firing showed it was "highly reliable" and its combat response was "advantageous," KCNA said in its report on Friday.

The test conducted by North Korea's Missile Administration was to examine the performance of a system whose production has already begun, it said.

KCNA did not specify where the test was held, but said Kim was joined by members of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

Photographs supplied by KCNA showed a plume from a missile soaring into the sky and a mid-air explosion. Other images showed Kim apparently observing the test and then smiling.

Experts said Pyongyang might be receiving help from Russia for the anti-aircraft missile system, particularly given how security ties have become increasingly entwined.

"In the past North Korea has introduced Soviet weapon systems and developed weapons based on them, and it is highly likely that Russia has given correspondingly what North Korea demands because of the strengthening of cooperation," said Shin Seung-ki, head of research on North Korea's military at the state-run Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.

South Korea's national security adviser said last year that Russia had provided North Korea with anti-air missiles and air defense equipment in return for sending troops to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

Shin also noted although North Korea has made ballistic missiles on its own, it was far harder to produce interceptor missiles without additional help.

"It's much more complicated because there's not just missiles, but a detection and tracking radar, and there's a command and control system," Shin said.

South Korea's military was aware in advance of a possible missile launch which ended up taking place about 9 a.m. (0000 GMT) on Thursday in North Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing an official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

Seoul and Washington wrapped up their latest annual joint military drills, known as Freedom Shield, on Thursday. They say such exercises are defensive, but Pyongyang has long demanded a halt to US-South Korea joint exercises, branding them a prelude to an invasion.

In a statement carried by KCNA, a spokesperson for North Korea's defense ministry criticized the latest joint drills by South Korea and the United States, calling them "reckless" and "a rehearsal of war."

All options for containing the US and South Korea were being considered, including the use of the "most destructive and deadly military means", the statement said, while urging the militaries of both countries to stop their acts.