Foreign Ministry welcomes U.S. Senate's adoption of aid package to Ukraine and sanctions against Nord Stream 2

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the approval by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA 2021), which provides for assistance to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.

This was said in a commentary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in connection with the adoption of NDAA 2021, published on the ministry’s website.

"The provisions of this document envisage, in particular, the allocation of a significant package of security assistance to Ukraine, including by increasing available funds for the purchase of lethal weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as intensifying sanctions pressure against the subversive activities of the Russian Federation," the report reads.

The Foreign Ministry noted that the United States, with its decisions, once again demonstrated its leadership in supporting Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders.

“We highly appreciate the strong bipartisan and bicameral support of Ukraine in the United States, the readiness of Ukraine’s strategic partner to continue practical assistance to our country in strengthening its defense capability in the face of ongoing Russian aggression,” the ministry added.

On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Senate by an overwhelming majority (84-13) and on December 8, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives (335-78) approved the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA 2021). The document provides for the allocation of $250 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including $75 million for the purchase of lethal weapons for the Armed Forces, which is $25 million more than in 2020. In addition, NDAA 2021 provides for increased sanctions against the construction of Nord Stream 2. To take effect, NDAA 2021 must be signed by the President of the United States.

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