Senate Votes to Revive World War II-Era Policy to Help Ukraine Fight Russia

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on March 30, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a video address in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 22, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters;

The U.S. Senate voted on April 6 to revive a World War II-era assistance program that will be used to provide defensive weapons and other aid to Ukraine as it tries to defend itself from an invasion by Russia.

The measure, known as the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, was approved unanimously. It gives enhanced authority to the federal government to set agreements with Ukraine’s government to lend or lease equipment. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) sponsored the measure.

The “lend-lease” policy was last used during World War II when the United States provided assistance to its allies, the UK and the Soviet Union.

The bill still must be approved in the House and signed by President Joe Biden. It isn’t clear when the House will take up the bill, however, as both chambers of Congress leave Washington on April 7 for a scheduled recess.

The U.S. Congress has already approved some $14 billion in humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, and NATO has provided the country with weapons, equipment, and intelligence since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24. If the lend-lease measure is enacted, even more U.S. military aid might flow into the country.

So far, NATO and the United States have provided Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, while the Pentagon last week confirmed it was sending “Switchblade” kamikaze drones to Kyiv. President Joe Biden on several occasions has said the United States won’t send any troops to Ukraine, saying that doing so would escalate the conflict with Russia.

A local resident rides a bicycle past a charred armored vehicle during the Ukraine-Russia conflict in the separatist-controlled town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on March 15, 2022. Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

“As the war in Ukraine unfolds, delivering military aid as quickly as possible is pivotal for Ukraine’s ability to defend itself,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), another sponsor of the measure. “The Kremlin is committing horrific assaults throughout the nation on civilian infrastructure and targeting innocent men, women, and children.”

The move was also publicly backed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who told other lawmakers that Russia’s government is “guilty of” killing civilians over “their religion, their race, or their nationality.” The Kremlin has categorically denied that its forces killed civilians in Bucha, near Kyiv, last week.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on April 7 wrote on Twitter that he welcomes the Senate approval of the bill and urged the House to pass the measure.

“Grateful to the U.S. Senate for passing the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act,” Kuleba said. “Important first step towards a lend-lease program to expedite the delivery of military equipment to Ukraine. Looking forward to its swift passage in the House and signing by the U.S. President.”