The United States of America explained the reasons for the unsuccessful implementation of the Lend-Lease law for Ukraine, which was signed by President Joe Biden on May 9, 2022.
President and CEO of the Arizona Defense Industrial Coalition (AZDIC) Lindy Smith, who is also a member of the Ukroboronprom Supervisory Board, revealed the details of American assistance to Ukraine, in particular, in the context of the aforementioned law.
She noted that the Lend-Lease program cannot be considered a failed experiment or unsuitable for use in Ukraine. However, she pointed out that the United States government emphasized that Ukraine should not bear the financial costs of the weapons it received.
So, the administration explained that it used specific programs, such as the Security Assistance Initiative, the Foreign Military Financing Program, and the Presidential Arms Reduction Mandate, to provide assistance to Ukraine, said Lindy Smith, president and CEO of the Arizona Defense Industrial Coalition (AZDIC), who is also a member of the Ukroboronprom supervisory board.
She pointed out that these programs allow for funding to be provided to Ukraine without the need for repayment. According to Smith, the Biden administration has focused efforts on avoiding the formation of debt that would have to be repaid to the United States.
Despite this, she acknowledged that the decision on Lend-Lease for Ukraine was a “powerful and beneficial act.” Smith expressed the opinion that it should be restored as an opportunity for both Ukraine and the United States. She emphasized the relevance of this issue in the context of difficulties with budgetary planning, noting that resolving this issue could contribute to understanding the financing opportunities for Ukraine and make it easier for it to obtain the necessary resources. She also called for a review and return of the Lend-Lease option in the context of the difficult budgetary challenges that have become difficult for Ukraine.
