Grassley, Ernst Push Bill To Provide Ukraine With Aircraft And Additional Immediate Lethal Aid

Press Release

After speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the weekend, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in introducing legislation to provide the Ukrainian military with immediate lethal aid -- including aircraft as requested by Zelenskyy, communications equipment and logistics support.

"As Ukraine continues successfully stalling Putin's advances in Kyiv and in other parts of the country, we must ensure brave Ukrainian soldiers have the resources needed to further demoralize and defeat the Russian military. By utilizing weapons, aircraft and other equipment that's currently sitting in warehouses, our legislation will help provide direct support that was requested by President Zelenskyy ," Grassley said.

"The United States is the greatest nation on earth, but under President Biden we are allowing the Germans, the Canadians, the Latvians, the Dutch, and the Swiss to lead in arming our freedom-loving partners in Ukraine. After speaking with President Zelenskyy over the weekend, it's clear that every second counts, and we need to get additional aid to the Ukrainians now. This bill will transfer unused aircrafts, weapons, equipment, and additional defense support capabilities sitting in warehouses across the world to fight back against Russian aggression," said Ernst.

Specifically, the proposal would allow the Secretary of Defense to immediately transfer to Ukraine aircraft, weapons, equipment and additional defense support capabilities sitting in warehouses across the world.

Grassley has helped lead a number of efforts to punish Russia for its unprovoked attack on Ukraine, including to hold Putin and his allies accountable for war crimes. After reports indicated that Putin hired hundreds of mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Grassley and Ernst also implored the Treasury, State and Defense departments to immediately investigate and sanction this group.

Source