[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 16, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S1227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 549--SUPPORTING THE TRANSFER OF AIRCRAFT AND AIR 
             DEFENSE SYSTEMS TO THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE

  Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Cramer, Mr. 
Cassidy, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Romney, Mr. Tillis, and 
Mr. Lankford) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 549

       Whereas the people of Ukraine have shown great resolve in 
     combating the blind aggression of the Russian Federation 
     following the further invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 
     2022;
       Whereas the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue 
     to assault the people of Ukraine through indiscriminate 
     aerial attacks;
       Whereas the United States Department of Defense has stated 
     that the Russian Federation flies ``on average 200 sorties 
     per day'' in their campaign against Ukraine;
       Whereas Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has 
     continued to request that members of the North Atlantic 
     Treaty Organization and other countries around the globe 
     support the transfer of military aircraft and air defense 
     systems to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in order to protect 
     the people of Ukraine;
       Whereas the MiG-29 is the main fixed-wing aircraft in the 
     inventory of the Ukrainian Air Force, and it is critical that 
     the Ukrainian Air Force receive aircraft that mirror the 
     capability and operating standard of the MiG-29;
       Whereas additional MiG-29s are essential for the Ukrainian 
     Air Force to remain capable of contesting aircraft of the 
     Russian Federation;
       Whereas, on March 5, 2022, it was reported that the 
     Government of Poland would transfer MiG-29s to Ukraine in 
     exchange for aircraft from the United States;
       Whereas, on March 6, 2022, Secretary of State Antony 
     Blinken stated that the transfer of Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine 
     ``gets a green light [and that] we're talking with our Polish 
     friends right now about what we might be able to do to 
     backfill their needs. . .'';
       Whereas, on March 8, 2022, the Government of Poland stated 
     that Poland would ``deploy--immediately and free of charge--
     all of their M[i]G-29 jets. . .and place them at the disposal 
     of the Government of the United States'' and further stated 
     that ``other NATO Allies--owners of M[i]G-29 jets--[should] 
     act in the same vein'';
       Whereas, on March 9, 2022, the Pentagon stated that the 
     United States does ``not support the transfer of additional 
     fighter aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force at this time, and 
     therefore have no desire to see them in our custody, either'' 
     and further stated that ``the transfer of combat aircraft 
     right now could be mistaken, by Mr. Putin and the Russians as 
     an escalatory step'';
       Whereas a failure to provide aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and 
     air defense systems to the Armed Forces of Ukraine would 
     embolden the Russian Federation and further endanger the 
     people of Ukraine;
       Whereas the Biden Administration should support the 
     transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air defense 
     systems, including Stinger missiles and more advanced 
     surface-to-air missile systems, to Ukraine; and
       Whereas Congress urges the Biden Administration to meet the 
     air defense needs requested by President Zelensky, including 
     the transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and other air 
     defense systems: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) encourages the President of the United States to 
     support the transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air 
     defense systems to Ukraine;
       (2) supports continued efforts by members of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization and other countries around the 
     globe to identify additional aviation and air defense 
     capabilities to transfer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine; and
       (3) stands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and 
     the people of Ukraine in their struggle against Russian 
     aggression.

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