Law on Lend-Lease in Defense of Democracy in Ukraine of 2022

Article

May 28, 2022

The Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 is an act of the US Congress, according to which the Ukrainian government will be supplied with material resources similar to the Lend-Lease Act during World War II . The new law removes bureaucratic hurdles and allows the US government to quickly provide arms and other supplies to Ukraine or the governments of Eastern European countries affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine to fight. It is assumed that, just as during the Second World War, the recipient country will pay only for the equipment supplied under Lend-Lease, which was left after the end of the war. Full title: "The Law on providing the President with enhanced authority to conclude agreements with the Government of Ukraine on the provision or lease of defense means to this Government to protect the civilian population of Ukraine from the Russian military invasion and for other purposes" (eng. An Act To provide enhanced authority for the President to enter into agreements with the Government of Ukraine to lend or lease defense articles to that Government to protect civilian populations in Ukraine from Russian military invasion, and for other purposes).

History of the bill

On January 19, 2022, John Cornyn, Senator of Texas, submitted the bill to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee for consideration. On April 6, the bill passed unanimous approval in a vote in the Senate and on April 7 was adopted for consideration in the House of Representatives. Consideration by the House of Representatives was scheduled for April 27. On April 28, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the bill. On May 9 at 22:30 Moscow time, the law was signed by US President Joe Biden. The date of signing is Victory Day, a holiday celebrated in Russia in honor of the victory of the USSR over Nazi Germany.

Reaction

Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the authorities of the United States of America for the adoption of the lend-lease program, which provides for the simplification of military assistance to Ukraine. He called the foreign support programs for Ukraine proof that "freedom can still defend itself against tyranny."

Russia

On April 15, 2022, Russia sent a note to �