U.S. Senate Approves $925B Defense Bill, Allocates $500M for Ukraine Aid

The U.S. Senate has approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026, authorizing $925 billion in defense spending. This amount represents an increase from the $895 billion allocated in fiscal year 2025. The bipartisan bill was passed with a vote of 77-20 during an ongoing government shutdown.

As part of the NDAA, the legislation extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through 2028, providing $500 million annually to support Ukraine"s defense efforts. This funding will be allocated through Pentagon contracts with U.S. manufacturers.

This development comes amid ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe and reflects the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against external threats. For further context on related international developments, see our coverage on recent developments regarding Vladimir Putin"s statements on international recognition and Putin"s upcoming announcements on military capabilities.