US could allocate $500 million to Ukraine for defense
A bill on the U.S. National Defense Budget for the 2018 financial year provides for the allocation of $500 million to help Ukraine in the security field, including the provision of lethal and other weapons, training, and technical assistance, as reported by Senator Rob Portman, according to Voice of America.
Half of the money, or $250 million, is allocated to programs related to the implementation of key defense sector reforms necessary to develop and consolidate existing achievements.
Among the concrete reforms are the establishment of civilian control over the military bloc, cooperation and coordination of efforts with the Verkhovna Rada to establish supervision over the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and military forces, an increase in the transparency and accountability of defense procurement, and the development of privatization opportunities.
After the approval by the Senate Armed Services Committee, the bill will be put to a vote in the Senate.
"As long as Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine continues, and Russia continues to use hybrid war tactics such as propaganda and disinformation, it is extremely important that the US and NATO provided constant economic, political, and military support necessary for Ukraine to ensure its democratic future," Senator Portman said, noting that an independent Ukraine is extremely important not only for Eastern Europe, but also for broader US interests in the region and beyond.