S. aid to Ukraine. However, he also voiced his disappointment at the months-long struggle to secure enough Republican support for the aid package. McConnell attributed the delay to two influential figures, former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson and former President Donald Trump.

According to McConnell, the demonization of Ukraine began with Carlson, who he believed should have been interviewing Russian President Vladimir Putin. He acknowledged that Carlson had a significant audience, which led many rank-and-file Republicans to question the necessity of providing aid to Ukraine.

McConnell also hinted at Trump's mixed views on Ukraine aid, mentioning the failed attempt to include border security provisions in the bill. He expressed frustration at the challenges of dealing with Democrats and the perception among some Republican members that the aid package was insufficient. McConnell noted that it took months to navigate through these obstacles, highlighting the reluctance of the former president to take action.

As a longstanding advocate for Ukraine aid, McConnell has faced opposition from conservative voices within his party who sought to block the funding. He viewed the expected passage of the bill as a significant day for both America and freedom-loving countries worldwide.

The Senate voted 80-19 on Tuesday to advance the legislation, setting the stage for a final passage vote, expected later in the day or possibly slipping to Wednesday. President Joe Biden has pledged to sign the bill, potentially turning it into law within days.

McConnell reiterated his commitment to working towards regaining a Republican Senate majority, despite his plans to step back from leadership at the end of the year. He expressed optimism about the GOP's candidate selection, believing that they are more inclined to move away from recent isolationist tendencies within the party.

In discussing the difficulty the aid package faced in the House, McConnell placed some blame on the Biden administration for not recognizing the urgency earlier. However, he also acknowledged that Congress should have acted more swiftly. The delay in House approval resulted in Ukraine going without aid for an extended period.

McConnell defended House Speaker Mike Johnson, who evolved from being skeptical of Ukraine aid to becoming a staunch supporter. He cited former President Trump's endorsement of Speaker Johnson and noted that it carries more weight than his own opinion.

Looking ahead to the upcoming battle for majority control in the fall, McConnell expressed confidence in the GOP's Senate nominees. He specifically mentioned his optimism about winning West Virginia, which would bring the party one step closer to the majority.

As the aid package moves closer to becoming law, McConnell's celebration of its impending passage stands as a testament to his unwavering support for Ukraine and his ongoing efforts to guide the Republican Party back to its roots of defending democracy around the world.