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Ukraine Aid Bill Heads To Obama

December 14, 2014
by Luke Johnson

WASHINGTON -- A bill authorizing lethal aid for Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia unanimously passed the U.S. Senate late on December 13, sending it to U.S. President Barack Obama to sign or veto the measure.

A senior administration official said the White House was aware of the bill and 'looking at it now.'

The official added that it is 'important that our sanctions regime strikes a delicate balance that maintains a united front with Allies and partners, optimizes costs on Russia, and minimizes the impact on American business, international oil markets and the global economy. We will be evaluating whether the amended legislation enables us to sustain this important approach.'

The swift and unanimous passage of the bill could set up a battle between Congress and the president. While the president can waive most of the provisions, the bill is a more robust answer to Russia's aggression in Ukraine than the administration has undertaken thus far.

While the White House has declined to provide lethal aid to Ukraine, the bill authorizes -- but does not technically require -- $350 million of defense articles for Ukraine's military, including antitank and antiarmor weapons, ammunition and surveillance drones. According to the administration, the U.S. government has committed over $118 million in equipment and training for Ukraine's security forces.

More than 4,000 people have been killed in Ukraine since March, and the conflict has persisted despite a September 5 cease-fire.

The bill also authorizes sanctions against Russia's defense and energy industries, including the arms exporter Rosoboronexport. The president may waive them for national security reasons.

It also allows Obama to sanction Gazprom, the Russian state-controlled energy giant, if he determines that it is withholding gas from a NATO state or Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.

Identical texts of the bill passed the U.S. Senate and House on December 11, but because of a loan guarantee provision, the U.S. Senate had to vote on it again.

The legislation has been harshly criticized by Russian government officials. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the bill was another 'manifestation of anti-Russian sentiments.' He warned that Russia 'will not be able to leave this without a response.'

A provision granting major non-NATO ally status to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine was removed from the bill.

The bill also authorizes $50 million for three years to address Ukraine's energy shortage. The bill grants an additional $10 million per year for Voice of America and RFE/RL to expand broadcasting in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia to counter Russian 'propaganda.' $20 million per year for three years is allotted for Russian democracy and civil society organizations.

With reporting by Interfax

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine- aid-bill-heads-to-obama/26743453.html

Copyright (c) 2014. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.