118 HR 9501 IH: Stand with Ukraine Act of 2024
U.S. House of Representatives
2024-09-09
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EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.This Act may be cited as the Stand with Ukraine Act of 2024
.2.Congress makes the following findings:(1)On July 12, 2023, the United States, Ukraine, and other members of the G7 issued a Joint Declaration subsequently joined by 24 additional states that reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the strategic objective of a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression
.(2)The security of Ukraine is integral to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region.(3)The Russian Federation’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is a threat to international peace and security, a flagrant violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter, and incompatible with international security interests.(4)The United States will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes.(5)The people of the United States stand united in our enduring support for Ukraine, rooted in our shared democratic values and interests, above all, and respect for the United Nations Charter and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty.(6)On June 13, 2024, the President of the United States and the President of Ukraine signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement (referred to in this Act as the Bilateral Security Agreement
), which Congress hereby endorses as an enduring framework between our two countries. <enum>I</enum><header>United States policy toward Ukraine</header><section id="H6586C1F4700448FE9D5F23EE544AD006"><enum>101.</enum><header>Declaration of policy</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the policy of the United States—</text><paragraph id="H54A61D85EBC14017B5AA514BF3A6987F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to support the security of Ukraine and the freedom of the people of Ukraine to determine their own future, and to strenuously oppose continued military force by the Russian Federation to encroach upon the territorial integrity of Ukraine or its existence as a free, democratic member of the family of nations;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA187FABB7C2B45F6A0B9C95306324891"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to cooperate with Ukraine as an important partner of the United States in promoting a whole, free, and at peace Europe;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBDE2F38251A74AA4AB3D12F636BD11AF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to strengthen cooperation with the military of Ukraine to expel Russian military forces from the territory of Ukraine, and to transfer offensive and defensive articles to Ukraine in order to provide a credible defense and deterrent capability through the continued provision of—</text><subparagraph id="H0F6071C3020442E093BC96A2908BC9CE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>security assistance and modern military equipment, across land, air, and sea domains, prioritizing air defense, artillery and long-range fires, armored vehicles, and other key capabilities, such as combat air, and by promoting increased interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partner;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA1B27FB578EF45D19EAFBCC00F15A52E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>support to further develop Ukraine’s defense industrial base;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAA2A9FA14F7549C6AF04A8E03BD0C323"><enum>(C)</enum><text>training and training exercises for Ukrainian forces;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5BE2C26D1FDA45B590AD56B48F9FE7F6"><enum>(D)</enum><text>intelligence sharing and cooperation; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA7BFFB089E4D453995CBCF41BCC73CA3"><enum>(E)</enum><text>support for cyber defense, security, and resilience initiatives, including to address hybrid threats;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H05CFCC73FEAC4B4D8D7C34F348E66418"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to ensure that the costs to the Russian Federation of its aggression continue to rise, including through sanctions and export controls, as well as supporting efforts to hold to account those responsible for war crimes and other international crimes committed in and against Ukraine, including those involving attacks on critical civilian infrastructure and the abduction of children;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H5817971A797B46478154F491BC7B3AB9"><enum>(5)</enum><text>that, in the event of future Russian armed attack, the United States will immediately consult with Ukraine to determine appropriate next steps, in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional requirements, to provide Ukraine with swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across land, sea, and air domains, and economic assistance, to impose economic and other costs on Russia, and to consult with Ukraine on its needs as it exercises its right of self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDFF277C6FA034C57988578040B64AA38"><enum>(6)</enum><text>to provide sustainable levels of security assistance for Ukraine in support of the objectives outlined in the Bilateral Security Agreement and its associated implementation agreements. </text></paragraph></section><enum>II</enum><header>Implementation of an enhanced partnership between the United States and Ukraine</header><section id="H1DF9A9DA63FE4FF5874B1687358F4050"><enum>201.</enum><header>Modernizing Ukraine’s security capabilities</header><subsection id="H6287E3B18B824E8898FBDBA8D6F318F8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Ukraine security programs</header><text>The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall use the authorities under this section to strengthen the United States-Ukraine military relationships, and to support the acceleration of the modernization of Ukraine’s military capabilities, including—</text><paragraph id="HDB908683928F4B46B9901546F69FCAEA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>long-range precision fires;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HCDE2FF9F523D4478AFA08D2D8A6D7C52"><enum>(2)</enum><text>integrated air and missile defense systems;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8D1B551B089D4C30B24D906A6926D6B9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>anti-ship cruise missiles;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1C739A9C9C2140C4B54E52964E84871E"><enum>(4)</enum><text>land-attack cruise missiles;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H91B0F8E957D242F3BBAE189060FDB1CC"><enum>(5)</enum><text>coastal defense;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE99DE002ECFF4F058E5180F9A21A979B"><enum>(6)</enum><text>anti-armor;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE9E98569A07E47829CD69F182ECF8551"><enum>(7)</enum><text>undersea warfare;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8580EEE8DA0D4D9FA040F80CA674020E"><enum>(8)</enum><text>survivable swarming maritime assets;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF8C836184B0E4884AAA7C5738D495D2D"><enum>(9)</enum><text>manned and unmanned aerial systems;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA879DF1D9F844031941FB35BB7D565B6"><enum>(10)</enum><text>mining and countermining capabilities;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H09045B92E21A47F6BBA483E8424EA54C"><enum>(11)</enum><text>intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0A6DA3EC29D94A8CBFC90A0D248017FF"><enum>(12)</enum><text>command and control systems; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBDA212E06D2C48629893503D408A2209"><enum>(13)</enum><text>any other defense capabilities that the United States and Ukraine jointly determine are crucial to the defense of Ukraine.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC88260C3FE6D4BFC93503F349A6B142C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>In addition to the purposes otherwise authorized for Foreign Military Financing programs under the Arms Export Control Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2751">22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.</external-xref>), the purpose of the Foreign Military Financing Program shall be to provide assistance, including equipment, training, and other support, to the Government and military of Ukraine in order—</text><paragraph id="H887D911445264CD4811930DBCF7B4790"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to accelerate the modernization of defense capabilities that will enable Ukraine to expel Russian Federation forces from the territory of Ukraine;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB33E45C451EF44788DD22D236000EC72"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to support to the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine including future force design, a move towards North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) concepts and operating procedures, command and staff training, combined exercises, and enhanced compatibility and interoperability with NATO allies;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H58E2104563004600BA2AF7549329B7AF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to support capabilities and training, as well as the infrastructure needed for Ukraine to exercise domestic control over its own airspace;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDC1E6A920326458794F552139DF72ED3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to enable the Government and military of Ukraine to conduct coercive or grey zone activities;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H37105A348ECA4FCDA940CFA3FECDD0AB"><enum>(5)</enum><text>to enable the Government and military of Ukraine to achieve maritime control over the territorial waters of Ukraine, including through support to Ukraine’s development of a Navy and the Sea Guard of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine that can execute mine clearance, and conduct maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) patrols, coastal defense, and freedom of navigation, helping the Government and people of Ukraine to rebuild their economy;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H5B82D21816B3434EA8CB6AE9CFD26715"><enum>(6)</enum><text>to provide support for border protection and defense, its engineering and fortification, surveillance, monitoring of enemy troop movements, postwar reconstruction of border infrastructure, demining, and disposal of explosive ordnance;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H49BA1DA7AA04452D92B0EC854CEC8CE8"><enum>(7)</enum><text>support to medical training and prosthetics;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H34114933152E429A868BC5CC28F4C80F"><enum>(8)</enum><text>to prevent the Russian Federation from decapitating, seizing control of, or otherwise neutralizing or rendering ineffective the Government of Ukraine; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC6CED43770AE4F26A187E6A5672B5916"><enum>(9)</enum><text>to create and maintain a credible defense and deterrence capability to prevent future conflict with the Russian Federation.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H58338489CB0E44DCB29E063BD224D09E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Budget submission</header><text>The President shall, concurrent with the fiscal year budget submission to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the funding requirements necessary to implement the Bilateral Security Agreement in the fiscal year for which the budget has been submitted. </text></subsection><subsection id="H2D790F6D33FD44D2A74A7F400B5891E9"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Defense articles and services from the United States inventory and other sources</header><text>The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, may make available to the Government of Ukraine, in such quantities as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the purpose described in the Bilateral Security Agreement—</text><paragraph id="H3B18FCDDCD3D4B4183FB59EB240AAB4F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>weapons and other defense articles from the United States inventory and other sources; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HAD6BC129872C4408A379BC189CF66977"><enum>(2)</enum><text>defense services.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H43C62031ABBD496587352952FD132C83"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Department of Defense unfunded priorities</header><paragraph id="HE56E49CE6DD44A56BBC2E5EC3DF14FC7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Annual report</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date on which the budget of the President for fiscal year 2026 is submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, and annually thereafter for the next 9 years, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the unfunded priorities required to implement the Bilateral Security Agreement in the fiscal year for which the budget has been submitted.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H22734E85FE9F4DC9B628140BB53BA950"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each report under this subsection shall specify, for each unfunded priority covered by such report, the following:</text><subparagraph id="HD83D006784144D3B80D8DA027E99E8D9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A summary description of such priority, including the objectives outlined in the Bilateral Security Agreement to be advanced if such priority is funded (whether in whole or in part).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3E9752C24D754071A0C34E23E6F49F4D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The additional amount of funds recommended in connection with the objectives described under subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3552A556A8B24C9EA416ED35F4F2D402"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Account information with respect to such priority, including the following (as applicable):</text><clause id="H84936445D52A431CBDD5A44F5140F24C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Line Item Number (LIN) for applicable procurement accounts.</text></clause><clause id="HB01BF5F3736A4D9BA546A60316C63657"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Program Element (PE) number for applicable research, development, test, and evaluation accounts.</text></clause><clause id="H90D91199CF374348A69171BFE54FAE7A"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Sub-activity group (SAG) for applicable operation and maintenance accounts.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF644543B202A4B8DB3ADC36107846BBF"><enum>(D)</enum><text>A detailed assessment of each specific risk that would be reduced in executing the Bilateral Security Agreement if such priority is funded (whether in whole or in part).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBF294979DD0F4F5AAC319FAD79ACF41D"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The requirement to be addressed by the unfunded priority.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H269AC7BC400A4D0786D52A49E65B0A72"><enum>(F)</enum><text>A description of any funding provided for the requirement for the current and preceding fiscal year.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H09716C1D02644192BB5218143374D032"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Recommendations whether such funding should be in the form of contributions, loans, or forgivable loans in the implementation of the Bilateral Security Agreement.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H7B68EE5D088641919A3696640B9CADE8"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Prioritization of priorities</header><text>Each report shall present the unfunded priorities covered by such report as follows:</text><subparagraph id="H5ECB1EADA573452F9A9C9C1742359B3E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In overall order of urgency of priority according to the amount of risk reduced.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF0AC4EC323EC44C5BCAF9A6D198AACBD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In overall order of urgency of priority among unfunded priorities.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H7C73E28079CC469C853F8BE642172AF5"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Department of State unfunded priorities</header><paragraph id="HB9BC6061E94F4461B0C03F07C88D212B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Annual report</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date on which the budget of the President for fiscal year 2026 is submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, and annually thereafter for the next 9 years, the Secretary of State shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the unfunded priorities required to implement the Bilateral Security Agreement in the fiscal year for which the budget has been submitted.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3F32AA52BF014D5FBFA11FBC289A60E2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each report under this subsection shall specify, for each unfunded priority covered by such report, the following:</text><subparagraph id="H4648D040C6424BA18D18ADE2EFE38C5B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A summary description of such priority, including the objectives outlined in the Bilateral Security Agreement to be advanced if such priority is funded (whether in whole or in part).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAD33C768D03E492C85F5A9B91DF56B32"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The additional amount of funds recommended in connection with the objectives described under subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1372AFA89FA040F2A3C4976D4B25E413"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Account information, as applicable, with respect to such priority.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB66B7BFC6215412BB6AE5828EE4AC5C5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>A detailed assessment of each specific risk that would be reduced in executing the Bilateral Security Agreement if such priority is funded (whether in whole or in part).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBD32C084C3D94FBCBD1E5F56B6D780E1"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The requirement to be addressed by the unfunded priority.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDD1B2D8757A1432F93D641E72A23BD38"><enum>(F)</enum><text>A description of any funding provided for the requirement for the current and preceding fiscal year.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3CDA4472CEFF4007B3B19629DA14ABF0"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Recommendations whether such funding should be in the form of contributions, loans, or forgivable loans in the implementation of the Bilateral Security Agreement.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE7052BE60C034E8CA7F7CC11061BB020"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Prioritization of priorities</header><text>Each report shall present the unfunded priorities covered by such report as follows:</text><subparagraph id="HAF8DB0A4744342E4BBF467E3361D12BD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In overall order of urgency of priority according to the amount of risk reduced.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H24AAF15895A14963910962F08264AE26" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In overall order of urgency of priority among unfunded priorities. </text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H1B47088347BC407CBB9A173968EBD20B"><enum>202.</enum><header>Prioritizing excess defense article transfers for Ukraine</header><subsection id="HC96C3447FCBD467EBE079901A2E77CFE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that the United States Government should appropriately prioritize the review of excess defense article transfers to Ukraine.</text></subsection><subsection id="H39176A7DEB5A432BB7A701FAA8656AEA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Five-Year plan</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall—</text><paragraph id="H99A4D30A40DB42858E0E8C05F9112438"><enum>(1)</enum><text>develop a 5-year plan to appropriately prioritize excess defense article transfers to Ukraine; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFDFA6CD852BB4FE18222E3BBB277E577"><enum>(2)</enum><text>submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress that describes such plan.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HB779E60C80EF43249E02F671096CA688"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Required coordination</header><text>The United States Government shall coordinate and align excess defense article transfers with capacity building efforts of Ukraine.</text></subsection><subsection id="H133FDD917BE94C53B2CBA46C4EA35C09"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Transfer authority</header><paragraph id="H72F146BF6B954AF1ABD8E6C7AC99F90F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 516(c)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2321j">22 U.S.C. 2321j(c)(2)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>and to the Philippines</quote> and inserting <quote>, to the Philippines, and to Ukraine</quote>.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE71C6CB89FD84E4FB25BE2E3248F1FDC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment of Ukraine</header><text>With respect to the transfer of excess defense articles under section 516(c)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended by paragraph (1), Ukraine shall receive the same benefits as the other countries referred to in such section.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H2FCB205A6C25485B9E428BA411650EB4"><enum>203.</enum><header>Fast-tracking sales to Ukraine under foreign military sales program</header><subsection id="H43789F08C5CB45A3A0B7178DF37E9123"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Preclearance of certain foreign military sales items</header><paragraph id="H78CDE1BA2BEA47049EF02A7BA6094DC0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and in conjunction with coordinating entities such as the National Disclosure Policy Committee and the Arms Transfer and Technology Release Senior Steering Group, shall compile a list of available and emerging military platforms, technologies, and equipment that are pre-cleared and prioritized for sale and release to Ukraine through the Foreign Military Sales program.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H95E9AB66597A4871825A5A905B04B39F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Selection of items</header><subparagraph id="H05960FC2DBE7455FB3EEB1506A7EEF0E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The items pre-cleared for sale pursuant to paragraph (1) shall represent a full range of capabilities required to implement a strategy of defense from Russian Federation military actions in Ukraine informed by United States readiness and risk assessments and determined by Ukraine to be required for various wartime scenarios and peacetime duties.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFB5DC73178A4486D877799F142A4A756"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Rules of construction</header><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA804C51908864F068B6195FD20EC890A"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authorized assistance</header><text>The list compiled pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not be construed as limiting the type, timing, or quantity of items that may be requested by, or sold to, Ukraine under the Foreign Military Sales program.</text></clause><clause id="H49E0071FDE0D4CC6987A89A45FC07D1F"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Congressional notification requirements</header><text>Nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede congressional notification requirements as required by the Arms Export Control Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2751">22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.</external-xref>) or any informal tiered review process for congressional notifications pertaining to foreign military sales.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE8DFACD45221420C962FFB01C155D1F4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Prioritized processing of foreign military sales requests from ukraine</header><paragraph id="HCB74BF609CC64FC4B84CA472066398F5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall prioritize and expedite the processing of requests from Ukraine under the Foreign Military Sales program, and may not delay the processing of requests for bundling purposes.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3053381C6F25498C89519ED0F9A91B58"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The requirement under paragraph (1) shall continue until the Secretary of State determines and certifies to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that the threat to Ukraine from the Russian Federation has significantly abated.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HEA5B2BB70EE24469BF9CF1AB001B01AE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Priority production</header><paragraph id="H04A81751F06F44B6BDFF3260364E05BC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Contractors awarded Department of Defense contracts to provide items for sale to Ukraine under the Foreign Military Sales program should expedite and prioritize the production of such items above the production of other items.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2676389346A84891AC605D37B374D380"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Annual report</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 10 years, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report describing what actions the Department of State and the Department of Defense have taken or are planning to take to prioritize Ukraine’s Foreign Military Sales cases, and current procedures or mechanisms for determining that a Foreign Military Sales program case for Ukraine should be prioritized above a sale to another country of the same or similar item.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H60B1DB75F0A94998B644980E52869C37"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Interagency policy</header><text>The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly review and update interagency policies and implementation guidance related to Foreign Military Sales program requests from Ukraine, including incorporating the preclearance provisions of this section.</text></subsection></section><section id="H489CD55CA32B4CFEA284E5F3FC0CFC8A"><enum>204.</enum><header>Treatment of Ukraine as a major non-NATO ally</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Notwithstanding any other provision of law, Ukraine shall be treated as though it were designated a major non-NATO ally, as defined in section 644(q) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2403">22 U.S.C. 2403(q)</external-xref>), for the purposes of the transfer or possible transfer of defense articles or defense services under the Arms Export Control Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2751">22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.</external-xref>), section 2350a of title 10, United States Code, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2151">22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.</external-xref>), or any other provision of law.</text></section><section id="HB4E5EAF467874990830D728C8A81EFF2"><enum>205.</enum><header>Use of presidential drawdown authority to provide security assistance to Ukraine</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the sense of Congress that the President should use the presidential drawdown authority under sections 506(a) and 552(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2318">22 U.S.C. 2318(a)</external-xref> and 2348a(c)) to provide security assistance and other necessary commodities and services to Ukraine in support of Ukraine’s self-defense.</text></section><section id="H4469D10891AF4C998D0EF74939E9994E"><enum>206.</enum><header>Information security</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the sense of Congress that the Russian Federation will continue to manipulate information in support of its war on Ukraine and that the United States should continue to work with Ukraine to mutually support efforts to combat disinformation and misinformation, specifically by—</text><paragraph id="H1D9AA2D2178E43C08AB6E2BA04348A2C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>collaborating to improve Ukraine’s capabilities to counter information security threats, primarily Russian propaganda;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB8CBCE3FB901499FB5B85F7D29416114"><enum>(2)</enum><text>working with like-minded partners to communicate effectively at an international level, offering a truthful alternative to the Russian Federation’s disinformation and misinformation campaigns;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H9E7C1353CDF04552B533A4BADF746AA7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>coordinating on close collaboration of communications to counter disinformation and misinformation; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3AB2922E34C840F69E6DE13AE8C9F302"><enum>(4)</enum><text>promoting the development of joint educational and training programs for information security professionals, including the level of English language proficiency in this area, and regular exchange of experience and professional events involving information professionals.</text></paragraph></section><section id="H94DA8CEE989F4C66A3CFBEBAD358EDE9"><enum>207.</enum><header>Statement of policy regarding recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the policy of the United States as follows:</text><paragraph id="H563E0E8BC134466D871AD02AAFC87F6C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The United States is steadfast in its commitment to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. The United States will support Ukraine to build increased institutional, economic and social resilience, with a focus on reforms that will underpin these areas. The United States will support early recovery activities in priority sectors, including energy, infrastructure, tech and demining.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H16515D83588349A68A93391AFC8FB75D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The United States recognizes that lasting security and prosperity for Ukraine must be underpinned by a strong private sector-led economy. The United States will seek to build a modern, resilient and sustainable Ukrainian economy that is integrated into global markets, is not susceptible to hostile Russian influence, and is based on strong and accountable institutions, respect for the rule of law.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H4DD1037911B84A2682F0FA24B47FC360"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The United States recognizes the need to unite efforts aimed at protecting the population and territories of Ukraine from the negative consequences caused by mines and explosive remnants of war as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression and alleviating the devastating consequences after its completion.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H06CBE819B8164A6D957F51843A4F20F9"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The United States will promote the further development of partnership in the field of humanitarian demining, the accumulation, analysis, exchange and application of practical experience in the field of humanitarian demining.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD80F9C10CBCA4562A943513BD7D6887F"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The United States will continue to fund demining, risk education, and capacity building. The United States will support the State Emergency Services of Ukraine through the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine to develop and sustain international demining standards in its operations.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8F66AFF5D7B5463EBBEF0033954CE88D"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The United States also undertakes to work with other donors to improve coordination and identify and implement innovative finance vehicles that bring new sources of funding into the mine action sector. The United States will work closely within the mechanisms set up by the Ukrainian government to support the implementation of the forthcoming mine action strategy. </text></paragraph></section><section id="HB68CD6B814FF44769EB9923613B2511A" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>208.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Loan and lease of defense articles to the Governments of Ukraine and eastern flank countries</header><subsection id="HBC6B559A143F4C4382B0262E26F51AEB" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authority To lend or lease defense articles to certain governments</header><paragraph id="H72C4AF0431CC4AF0A6A57EC1CA02903B" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to paragraph (2), for the period of fiscal years 2025 through 2035, the President may authorize the United States Government to lend or lease defense articles to the Government of Ukraine or to governments of Eastern European countries impacted by the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine to help bolster those countries' defense capabilities and protect their civilian populations from potential invasion or ongoing aggression by the armed forces of the Government of the Russian Federation.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H27BAAFD1B989491E879A70B6210E6B4E" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Exclusions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For the purposes of the authority described in paragraph (1) as that authority relates to Ukraine, the following provisions of law shall not apply:</text><subparagraph id="H71C0A3DAE4024EFFA2BE6F7D591BBA2F" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 503(b)(3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2311">22 U.S.C. 2311(b)(3)</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H68E9306ECA6448889908DFCA7A7AE525" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 61 of the Arms Export Control Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2796">22 U.S.C. 2796</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H2BDAD4A0560E49DA8EE3C838F2EA2EC8" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Condition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any loan or lease of defense articles to the Government of Ukraine under paragraph (1) shall be subject to all applicable laws concerning the return of and reimbursement and repayment for defense articles loan or leased to foreign governments.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBDBEE8BAFB2943B595D0BE7DA2BC39E4" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Delegation of authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The President may delegate the enhanced authority under this subsection only to an official appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF05E8406A33A419192D8E07D01A69084" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Procedures for delivery of defense articles</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall establish expedited procedures for the delivery of any defense article loaned or leased to the Government of Ukraine under an agreement entered into under subsection (a) to ensure timely delivery of the article to that Government.</text></subsection><subsection id="H6058E74DFBE047639CD7262AFA54570D" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition of defense article</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>defense article</term> has the meaning given that term in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2794">22 U.S.C. 2794</external-xref>). </text></subsection><subsection id="H91EFB8B5BB754DA9BD7A0D6A1244B45C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that the President should utilize the authorities provided by this section where applicable but in such a manner that does not conflict or interfere with the drawdown authorities provided under section 506 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/2318">22 U.S.C. 2318</external-xref>).</text></subsection></section><section id="H001D3A26E1D8452CBCECFCC373090DEC"><enum>209.</enum><header>Depot maintenance strategic plan</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall assist the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to create a Ukrainian Depot Maintenance Plan containing, at a minimum—</text><paragraph id="H2845D425F9CF4FD2B860AD9A20CF2727"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the steps necessary to put into place maintenance planning and management processes that will yield the robust, flexible organic depot maintenance capabilities; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8330DDD502BB44FCBBC1A9CE03D1C042"><enum>(2)</enum><text>plans for resetting the force by repairing or replacing the substantial quantities of weapon systems and equipment being worn out or lost due to Ukraine’s current military operations.</text></paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9BD10811922547DD8CC9FA46C574B30C"><enum>210.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this Act: </text><paragraph id="H1F67AF027AED47D1AA7BC18858BCDDAB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appropriate congressional committees</header><text>The term <term>appropriate congressional committees</term> means—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA2F5948FC9EA4C88BE6A77AF66C2C7FF"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H31788D9197894E76A0BD37F91ADF20F4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE97020D5663B4E6494E5E538063D4C74"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Credible defense and deterrence capability</header><text>The term <term>credible defense and deterrence capability</term> means the ability to defend against and deter any credible conventional military threat from the Russian Federation, acting unilaterally or in concert with partners, through the use of conventional military means, possessed in sufficient quantity, including weapons platforms and munitions, command, control, communication, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.</text></paragraph></section>