Ukraine thanks US on long-awaited aid package, says it will make up for lost time

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine would do its best to make up for half a year lost to U.S. congressional debate as he thanked President Joe Biden and Americans for approving a major U.S. aid package for Kyiv on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian leader expressed gratitude in his nightly video address after Biden signed into law the $61 billion aid package for Kyiv, concluding a political deadlock in Congress that lasted six months.