U.S. Senate committee backs raising military aid to Ukraine to $750 million

The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee has approved extending security assistance for Ukraine and increasing authorized funding to $750 million.

The measure is included in the Senate’s version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets Pentagon policy. The funding would be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), under which U.S. companies are paid to supply weapons to Ukraine’s military.

The bill also bars the use of NDAA funds for any activity that would recognize Russian sovereignty over Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory and directs the Pentagon to provide intelligence support to Kyiv for defensive operations and efforts to retake occupied areas.

The legislation must still be approved by the full Senate and House of Representatives before a final version is sent to the U.S. president for signature.