Congressman Sandy Levin on Thursday called for U.S.
military aid and training — on a level equal to what the U.S. supplies to NATO
allies — for Ukrainian armed forces as they continue to battle with pro-Russian
separatist rebels.
military aid and training — on a level equal to what the U.S. supplies to NATO
allies — for Ukrainian armed forces as they continue to battle with pro-Russian
separatist rebels.
Levin and two fellow House members introduced [H.R. 5190] , legislation that authorizes
the president to work with Ukrainian leaders to assess that country’s military,
intelligence and security needs and to provide direct U.S. assistance.
the president to work with Ukrainian leaders to assess that country’s military,
intelligence and security needs and to provide direct U.S. assistance.
The bipartisan bill was unveiled by Levin, together with
fellow Congressional Ukrainian Caucus Co-chairs Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).
fellow Congressional Ukrainian Caucus Co-chairs Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).
The aid, according to Levin, would be designed
to neutralize the military-support advantage that separatist rebels enjoy due
to their shadowy connections with the Russian military. Beyond the shoot down
of Malaysian flight MH17 and the targeting of Ukrainian military aircraft, the
bill’s supporters say the rebels are fostering violence and instability across
that country.
to neutralize the military-support advantage that separatist rebels enjoy due
to their shadowy connections with the Russian military. Beyond the shoot down
of Malaysian flight MH17 and the targeting of Ukrainian military aircraft, the
bill’s supporters say the rebels are fostering violence and instability across
that country.
The legislation, which received little attention in Washington, also calls on President Obama and Secretary
of State John Kerry to increase military cooperation between the U.S. Armed
Forces and the armed forces of Ukraine. The NATO-level assistance would be
temporary, until the rebels abandon their effort to separate eastern Ukraine
and integrate that territory into Russia.
of State John Kerry to increase military cooperation between the U.S. Armed
Forces and the armed forces of Ukraine. The NATO-level assistance would be
temporary, until the rebels abandon their effort to separate eastern Ukraine
and integrate that territory into Russia.
Here is what the three lawmakers said:
Levin, a Royal Oak Democrat who represents most of
Macomb County: “With the overwhelming evidence that Russia is supplying the
separatists with weapons, including the anti-aircraft missile that downed
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, we want to make it clear that the United States
stands with the people of Ukraine. We will help the Ukrainian people defend
themselves from Russian efforts to destabilize Ukraine.”
Macomb County: “With the overwhelming evidence that Russia is supplying the
separatists with weapons, including the anti-aircraft missile that downed
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, we want to make it clear that the United States
stands with the people of Ukraine. We will help the Ukrainian people defend
themselves from Russian efforts to destabilize Ukraine.”
Rep. Gerlach: “The evidence released by U.S. and
Ukrainian intelligence authorities shows without a doubt that rebel separatists
and hired thugs, armed with superior Russian technology and weapons, continue
to foment havoc and instability. The bipartisan legislation we introduced today
is another important step towards reaffirming the United States’ commitment to
helping our Ukrainian allies develop as a fully democratic nation.”
Ukrainian intelligence authorities shows without a doubt that rebel separatists
and hired thugs, armed with superior Russian technology and weapons, continue
to foment havoc and instability. The bipartisan legislation we introduced today
is another important step towards reaffirming the United States’ commitment to
helping our Ukrainian allies develop as a fully democratic nation.”
Rep. Kaptur: “Our bill calls to designate Ukraine as a major
non-NATO ally, in order to temporarily provide vital resources and the security
NATO offers to member states. Additionally, this bill expands
military-to-military training and cooperation, specifically increasing the
current tempo of military exercises and training efforts. The world has
witnessed the destabilization of Ukraine for months and this most recent
atrocity further illustrates (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s blatant
refusal to use his influence to quell the instability and violence.”
non-NATO ally, in order to temporarily provide vital resources and the security
NATO offers to member states. Additionally, this bill expands
military-to-military training and cooperation, specifically increasing the
current tempo of military exercises and training efforts. The world has
witnessed the destabilization of Ukraine for months and this most recent
atrocity further illustrates (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s blatant
refusal to use his influence to quell the instability and violence.”
