Policy

Ukraine’s land package: a new bill is already in the U.S. Congress

A bill has been introduced in the United States Congress to restore the Ukraine defense lease program. The document, registered under the number H.R.1158, gives the US president expanded powers to conclude agreements with the Ukrainian government to lease defense equipment, Komersant ukrainskyi reports

The bill was initiated by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson.

“War criminal [Vladimir] Putin understands only the language of force. We must give President [Donald] Trump the authority to massively and quickly provide Ukraine with the weapons of war to force Russia to the negotiating table. Peace through strength,” he wrote on his X page.

The document states that the transfer of defense equipment is aimed at protecting civilians from Russian aggression and can be used for other strategic purposes.

What does the bill provide for?

If the law is passed, the US President will have expanded opportunities to provide Ukraine with military equipment and weapons without the need to go through lengthy bureaucratic procedures. This can significantly speed up the supply of necessary weapons for the country’s defense.

Earlier, Joe Wilson announced his intention to introduce a bill that would allow Ukraine to receive so-called “victorious weapons” and force Russia to negotiate.

It has not yet been specified what kind of support Wilson’s initiative provides for Ukraine. The text of the bill has not yet been published on the House of Representatives website.

The document is currently under consideration by the House of Representatives, and its further consideration depends on the decision of the congressmen.

It is worth noting that the US Congress first approved the land-lease mechanism for Ukraine in May 2022. The document provided the US president with the authority to send weapons on the condition that their cost would be returned later. Instead, the Biden administration implemented other mechanisms to support Ukraine, including non-refundable aid.

Land-lift for Ukraine

The Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 is an act of the United States Congress passed on May 9, 2022, which granted the President of the United States expanded authority to supply Ukraine with weapons and eliminated bureaucratic obstacles to doing so.

The law stipulated that Ukraine would pay only for the equipment it decides to keep after the war. Military aid under the lend-lease was to begin in October 2022, with the start of the new fiscal year in the United States.

The law expired in September 2023 due to the lack of an extension for 2024.