US Sends Strong Signal of Ongoing Military Support to Ukraine

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, joined  Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Murphy (D-CT), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to introduce the bipartisan Ukraine Security Partnership Act to provide ongoing security assistance and strategic support to Ukraine.

The bipartisan legislation also sends a strong needed signal to Kyiv and Moscow that the United States is converting its long-term moral commitment into dollars and cents military support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and its fight to reassert its legal control over its indivisible territory. In recent years of the six-year Russian war against Ukraine, the defender’s military forces in Donbas have held their own in defending and recapturing territory from the Russian invaders.

Thanks to this bill, the US Congress will continue to make sure the Ukrainian military has the capabilities it needs to defend its sovereign territory—on the land, sea, and air. It should put to rest naysayers’ negative comments about America’s continuous advocacy of Ukraine’s freedom against Russian aggression.

The legislation sends a clear message to Kyiv and Moscow that the United States stands with it, said Portman. “Our relationship with Ukraine is strategic and this bill makes clear statements regarding a whole of government strategy focused on enhancing all elements of Ukrainian security,” he added.

Touching on Russia’s illegal invasion and occupation of Crimea, Risch said Russia’s “disregard for international laws and commitments is no better demonstrated than by its illegal seizure of Crimea in 2014 and the six years of covert military support for eastern Ukrainian separatists. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has stood as a bulwark against the Russian Federation’s malign influence in Europe and a steadfast partner of the United States.”

Menendez said that for the past six years Ukraine has been subjected to daily assault from Russia on land, air and cyberspace while Ukrainian soldiers have selflessly and courageously fought Russian forces that seek to violate its sovereignty and disrupt the international order. “The US is Ukraine’s strongest supporter, but its security needs continue to grow under relentless pressure from Moscow. The bipartisan Ukraine Security Partnership Act will address these challenges by substantially increasing long-term security assistance for our partners in Ukraine while ensuring accountability from their democratic institutions.”

“Strong, bipartisan support remains for our relationship with Ukraine and it’s clear Congress recognizes the strategic value of the partnership,” said Murphy.

Barrasso added that “Our bipartisan legislation provides Ukraine with key military and diplomatic resources to help secure a peaceful, democratic future for their country. The United States is committed to fully supporting our strong partner, Ukraine.” 

“Supporting Ukraine against the Kremlin’s aggression is a critical US national security priority and important for global stability,” said Shaheen.

Key provisions of the senators’ legislation:

• Requires a report on U.S. diplomatic support for Ukraine over the next five years.

• Encourages the Department of State to establish a working group on Ukraine with relevant European allies.

• Requires the administration to appoint a special envoy for Ukraine to serve as the US liaison for the Normandy Format peace negotiations and to facilitate dialogue between Black Sea countries.

• Authorizes up to $300 million per year of foreign military financing to Ukraine, subject to certifications, including the authority to provide Ukraine with lethal military assistance.

• Requires a Department of Defense and State Department report on the capability and capacity requirements of Ukraine’s armed forces, a plan to supply US security assistance to Ukraine, and any recommendations.

• Expedites the transfer of excess defense articles to Ukraine, and calls for a strategy to encourage partner nations to do the same.

• Authorizes $4 million per year to train Ukrainian military officers through the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology.