US Defense Budget Authorizes $200Mln of Lethal Defensive Aid to Ukraine

© REUTERS / Gleb GaranichUkraine's President Petro Poroshenko (L) welcomes a serviceman during a welcome ceremony for first plane from United State with non-lethal aid including ten Humvee vehicles to Ukraine at Borispol airport near Kiev, March 25, 2015
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko (L) welcomes a serviceman during a welcome ceremony for first plane from United State with non-lethal aid including ten Humvee vehicles to Ukraine at Borispol airport near Kiev, March 25, 2015 - Sputnik International
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The US House Armed Services Committee passed the bill to fund the US military in 2016, approving $200 million for lethal military assistance to Ukraine, according to the legislation agreed to on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US House Armed Services Committee passed the NDAA early on Thursday morning without amending the text dealing with Ukraine.

Philip Breedlove, commander of Supreme Allied Command Europe and U.S. European Combatant Command, testifies before a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington February 25, 2015 - Sputnik International
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The full US House of Representatives and the Senate must agree on the bill before it becomes law.

The US NDAA appropriates a total of $611.8 billion, approximately equivalent to President Obama’s fiscal year 2016 request.

“[The US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)] would authorize the Secretary of Defense, in concurrence with the Secretary of State, to provide assistance and sustainment to the military and national security forces of Ukraine through September 30, 2016,” the bill stated.

US Soldiers wait for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter to land so they can depart from an air-assault mission during Operation Champion Sword to search Khost province, Afghanistan, July 28, 2009. Afghan national security forces and International Security Assistance Forces teamed up to focus on specific militant targets and safe havens within Sabari and Terezai districts. - Sputnik International
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The US Congress will “authorize appropriations of $200 million” to carry out this authority.

The legislation will give US administration officials “the explicit authority…. to provide lethal weapons of a defensive nature” to Ukraine, according to the legislation.

The $200 million appropriation is intended to address the US Congress’ concerns that President Barack Obama “has not done enough to provide military training and assistance to Ukraine,” Congressman Mac Thornberry said in his executive summary of the NDAA.

The funds will “allow [Ukraine] to better defend itself and increase the costs to Russia,” he said.

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