US Plans to Allocate $250 Million to Ukraine to Increase Its Security

Photo from Ukrinform–UATV

In 2019, the United States Congress plans to allocate $250 million to Ukraine to help boost its security, the embassy of Ukraine in the U.S. reported on Facebook.

$50 million will be allocated towards lethal weapons.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have already agreed on a draft law, which will now be voted upon, and if passed, will be sent to the president to sign.

Also yesterday, congressmen voted to extend the ban on cooperation between the Pentagon and the Russian Defense Ministry, Unian reports with reference to the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The NDAA notes that Russia has violated key arms control treaties, expanded and modernized its nuclear arsenal, tested counter-space weapons, and used emerging technologies to undermine its neighbors.

In order to face emerging threats, the NDAA also includes the following steps to counter Russia’s aggression:

• provides flexibility for strategic partners and allies to move away from the use of Russian military equipment to American equipment;
• ensures that U.S. defense and security interests remain protected, through a modified waiver under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act;
• prohibits military-to-military cooperation with Russia;
• bolsters international partnerships;
• provides additional funding to counter cyber warfare, Russian aggression and information warfare;
• authorizes and strengthens Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction programs and activities;
• Funds research and development to counter weapons being deployed by Russia that are in contravention of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty;
• Prohibits U.S. government recognition of the absorption of Crimea into the Russian Federation;
• Provides $6.3 billion for the European Deterrence Initiative to further increase number of U.S. troops in Europe;
• Authorizes U.S. Special Operations Command programs and activities, including ongoing efforts in Eastern Europe.

In regards to Ukraine, Congress has recommended extending its program of military assistance to the country. Even though President Donald Trump has stoked fears that the U.S. could align with Moscow after his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his subsequent invitation to Putin to visit the White House, it seems that for now, the position of Congress on Ukraine is not in danger of changing.