In a continuing effort to show tangible support for Ukraine as it confronts a Russian military build-up on its borders, the U.S. Senate on Jan. 19 initiated a bipartisan bill that would expedite military support for Ukraine and speed-up its delivery to the country, if needed.
The Ukrainian Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act would allow U.S. President Joe Biden to enter into lend and lease agreements directly with Ukraine to provide the military equipment necessary “to protect vulnerable civilian populations”, according to The Hill.
Ironically, “lend-lease” was also the name given to the World War II effort that U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt undertook in 1941 to support European allies threatened by the Nazi war machine, which provided the Soviet Union with substantial military support.
The new Senate initiative comes after Washington recently approved $200 million in additional military funding for Ukraine. It also comes in the wake of a failed legislative effort to place additional sanctions on businesses supporting Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which will allow Russia to bypass the existing Ukrainian pipeline to bring natural gas to Europe.
“On the heels of a bipartisan delegation I helped lead to Ukraine, it’s clear the U.S. must take decisive and urgent action to support our Ukrainian partners and deter a Russian incursion,“
said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), one of the sponsors of the legislation.
“This legislation shows there is bipartisan unity in Congress to provide President Biden with the tools needed to swiftly deliver critical defense capabilities to Ukraine and stand firm against the Kremlin.”
Two bipartisan congressional delegations have visited Kyiv recently to show support for Ukraine as Russia continues to threaten it with a massive military build-up that has exceeded 120,000 personnel.
Several Republican and Democratic Senators are co-sponsors of the bill.
