U.S. Senate passes defense policy bill tightening control over use of assistance to Ukraine

MOSCOW. Dec 14 (Interfax) - The United States Senate has passed an $886-billion defense policy bill, which, inter alia, authorizes the appointment of a special inspector general to oversee how Ukraine uses military assistance it receives from the U.S., Ukrainian media have reported.

"The document was supported by 87 senators, and 13 voted against. It will be forwarded to the House of Representatives, where its opponents have been voicing their concerns more actively. The bill envisions the appropriation of $886 billion for national defense programs in the current fiscal year, which started on October 1. This is about 3% more than last year," they said.

Among other things, the bill authorizes pay raises for the troops by 5.2% and the appointment of a special inspector general to oversee how U.S. military assistance is used in Ukraine.