INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The United States government on Wednesday announced what it said was the last remaining package of weapons available for Ukraine under
existing authorization, with Congress now needing to decide whether to keep supporting Kyiv's battle against Russian invasion."The year's
final package" includes air-defense and artillery munitions, the State Department said in a statement
It added that Congress, where Republicans are split on supporting Ukraine, should "act swiftly" to renew the flow.President Joe Biden has
made backing Ukraine a priority and United States weapons and financial assistance have been crucial in helping the pro-Western country
battle against a far larger attacking Russian force.However, right-wing Republicans have led a push to halt the effort, refusing to
authorize new budget outlays if the Democrats don't first agree to sweeping, tough new measures against illegal migration over the United
States southern border.The final tranche of aid is worth up to $250 million and includes "air-defense munitions, other air-defense system
components, additional ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, anti-armor munitions,
and over 15 million rounds of ammunition," the State Department said.The statement underlined the United States -led coalition helping
Ukraine, noting that "more than 50 countries" are involved."It is imperative that Congress act swiftly, as soon as possible, to advance our
national security interests by helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future," it said.In Kyiv, Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy
Yermak welcomed the aid."Thank you for your help
We will win," Yermak wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.A week ago, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby made clear
that the upcoming drawdown of United States military aid would be the last available, leaving "no more replenishment authority.""We're
going to need Congress to act without delay," he said.Democrats in the Senate, where they hold a narrow majority, tried to push Republicans
in December for a last-minute deal, but with little progress the two parties left for the end-of-year holidays.Congress reconvenes on Jan
