Kyiv working to extend US Lend-Lease Act for another year – ambassador Markarova
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Ukrainian diplomats are working hard to persuade Washington to extend the U.S. Ukraine Lend-Lease Act for another year, Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on July 10.
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Markarova noted that talks with the U.S. Congress, which adjourns for a recess on August 7, continues unabated. Top priorities currently include several resolutions concerning issues like the abduction of Ukrainian children, along with the military budget bill, which is undergoing active revision.
Markarova clarified that Ukraine primarily receives aid through supplementary budgets and amendments to existing budgets. The military budget does not disburse funds but instead sets down fundamental principles.
“We are presently advocating in this military budget for, firstly, the extension of the USAI program (Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative), and also for the extension of the Lend-Lease Act for a year,” said Markarova.
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“We want to retain this opportunity, this tool, in case our grant programs are exhausted.”
She also shared that Ukraine is working on the next supplemental budget bill, as the country will require further funds from the United States starting from October.
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Earlier, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Oleg Nikolenko, elaborated that under the Lend-Lease program, the United States can furnish Ukraine with weapons on lease terms in the future, while currently Ukraine is receiving assistance directly from the United States federal budget.
Ambassador Markarova further added that as long as Ukraine has the opportunity to receive support at no cost, it will avail of it.
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On May 9, 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, facilitating the swift provision of weapons, transportation, food, and aid to Ukraine, underwritten by the U.S. government.
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