US Republican lawmaker proposes reauthorizing lend-lease for Ukraine

Feb 12, 2025 - 01:00

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Representative Joe Wilson, Republican from South Carolina, announced on 11 February he would introduce legislation reauthorizing a lend-lease agreement to provide Ukraine with “war-winning” military equipment.

While Trump vowed to cut aid to Ukraine, his administration remains divided. Some advisers push for continued military support, particularly if Russia-Ukraine peace talks are postponed. Meanwhile, Kyiv insists on stronger guarantees before any talks.

Newsweek reports that Wilson, who chairs the US Helsinki Commission and the National Security and Foreign Affairs Task Force, announced on X he would introduce the Freedom First Lend-Lease Act. This would give President Trump authority to provide what he called war-winning weapons to Ukraine.

Today, I will introduce the FREEDOM FIRST LEND-LEASE ACT to give President Trump flexible authorities to send war-winning weapons to our partners including Ukraine to deter War Criminal Putin as Biden should have done long ago. Bring Russia to the table through American Strength!— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) February 10, 2025

The previous Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, which facilitated military aid to Kyiv, expired in September 2023 without being used by former US President Joe Biden. The $895 billion US defense bill passed in December did not include provisions to extend it.

While US weapons approved under former President Biden continue flowing to Ukraine, the Trump administration is exploring having European allies purchase American weapons for Ukraine. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, will discuss this approach at the Munich Security Conference starting 14 February, according to unnamed sources who spoke to Reuters.

Newsweek notes that details of the bill, including whether it has the support of other members of Congress, remain uncertain. Additionally, it is unclear whether the US intends to request European countries to acquire American arms through commercial contracts or from existing US stockpiles.

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