Portman Applauds Signing of Ukraine Freedom Support Act

Press Release

U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today applauded President Obama's signing of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act into law, authorizing lethal U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. Portman was an early cosponsor of the legislation, introduced by Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN), which authorizes the President to provide the Ukrainian military with both lethal and non-lethal defensive military assistance. It also authorizes enhanced sanctions against the Russian energy and defense sectors and expands U.S. efforts to counter Russian propaganda in countries of the former Soviet Union. The Ukraine Freedom Support Act passed both the House and the Senate last week.

"While I applaud the President for signing this bill into law, I urge him to utilize the tools it gives him to support Ukraine and deter Russian aggression," Portman said. "In particular, I look forward to hearing from the President how he intends to provide the additional lethal and non-lethal defensive military assistance the law authorizes."

Military assistance authorized in the bill includes, but is not limited to, anti-tank and anti-armor weapons; crew weapons and ammunition; counter-artillery radars; fire control and guidance equipment; surveillance drones; and secure command and communications equipment. The President is also required to provide a report to Congress detailing the military assistance to be provided.

Portman has repeatedly called for the United States to provide defensive lethal assistance to Ukraine. Recently, Portman spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine and the need to increase U.S. military assistance, including the specific weapons systems authorized in the legislation.

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