The US House of Representatives has voted in favour of a multi-billion-dollar military aid package for Ukraine after months of delays.
Lawmakers passed the bill by 311 votes to 112, with the Senate expected to approve the measures over the next few days - while President Joe Biden has already pledged to enshrine it in law.
Despite all 210 House Democrats voting in favour of the $61billion (£49billion) aid package, more Republicans voted against the legislation than for of it, at a split of 112 to 101.
The aid marks a significant boost for the embattled Ukrainian military and their country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, who has seen his armed forces struggle increasingly against Russian aggression over the last few months.
US President Joe Biden has pledged to sign the bill into law as soon as it obtains Senate approval
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But commentators have warned that if Republicans gain more power in Congress - or take back the White House - in November's presidential election, Ukraine may face a withdrawal of US support.
Reacting to the news, President Zelensky said: "I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track.
"Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it.
"The vital US aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger.
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Zelensky publicly thanked US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for keeping "history on the right track"
Getty"Just peace and security can only be attained through strength. We hope that bills will be supported in the Senate and sent to President Biden’s desk. Thank you, America!"
When it became apparent that the aid package had been passed, supporters in the chamber - who had been pushing for the bill to be passed for months - stood to clap, cheer and wave Ukrainian flags.
Alongside the aid promised to Ukraine, Congress also passed a funding package for Israel which would see the key US ally strengthened by $26billion (£21billion) worth of military and humanitarian assistance.
Taiwan, also under mounting threats from China, is also set to receive further US assistance after the House voted through a $8.2billion (£6.6billion)-valued security package.
Ahead of the measures' passing, a White House statement said: "The world is watching what the Congress does. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment."
In total, the bills provide $95billion ($77billion) of aid: $60.84billion (£49billion) to address the conflict in Ukraine, including $23billion (£18.5billion) to replenish US weapons, stocks and facilities; $26billion (£21billion) for Israel, including $9.1billion for humanitarian needs, and $8.12billion (£6.6billion) for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.
Republican speaker Johnson, who has seen scathing opposition from within his party to any further assistance to Ukraine, said: "It's not the perfect legislation, it's not the legislation that we would write if Republicans were in charge of both the House, the Senate, and the White House.
"This is the best possible product that we can get under these circumstances to take care of these really important obligations."
