Title: A resolution supporting the transfer of aircraft and air defense systems to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution expresses that the Senate

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 549 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 549

  Supporting the transfer of aircraft and air defense systems to the 
                        Armed Forces of Ukraine.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 16, 2022

Mr. Graham (for himself, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Cassidy, 
   Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Romney, Mr. Tillis, and Mr. 
Lankford) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the transfer of aircraft and air defense systems to the 
                        Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Whereas the people of Ukraine have shown great resolve in combating the blind 
        aggression of the Russian Federation following the further invasion of 
        Ukraine on February 24, 2022;
Whereas the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to assault the 
        people of Ukraine through indiscriminate aerial attacks;
Whereas the United States Department of Defense has stated that the Russian 
        Federation flies ``on average 200 sorties per day'' in their campaign 
        against Ukraine;
Whereas Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has continued to request that 
        members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other countries 
        around the globe support the transfer of military aircraft and air 
        defense systems to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in order to protect the 
        people of Ukraine;
Whereas the MiG-29 is the main fixed-wing aircraft in the inventory of the 
        Ukrainian Air Force, and it is critical that the Ukrainian Air Force 
        receive aircraft that mirror the capability and operating standard of 
        the MiG-29;
Whereas additional MiG-29s are essential for the Ukrainian Air Force to remain 
        capable of contesting aircraft of the Russian Federation;
Whereas, on March 5, 2022, it was reported that the Government of Poland would 
        transfer MiG-29s to Ukraine in exchange for aircraft from the United 
        States;
Whereas, on March 6, 2022, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the 
        transfer of Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine ``gets a green light [and that] 
        we're talking with our Polish friends right now about what we might be 
        able to do to backfill their needs . . .'';
Whereas, on March 8, 2022, the Government of Poland stated that Poland would 
        ``deploy--immediately and free of charge--all of their M[i]G-29 jets . . 
        . and place them at the disposal of the Government of the United 
        States'' and further stated that ``other NATO Allies--owners of M[i]G-29 
        jets--[should] act in the same vein'';
Whereas, on March 9, 2022, the Pentagon stated that the United States does ``not 
        support the transfer of additional fighter aircraft to the Ukrainian Air 
        Force at this time, and therefore have no desire to see them in our 
        custody, either'' and further stated that ``the transfer of combat 
        aircraft right now could be mistaken, by Mr. Putin and the Russians as 
        an escalatory step'';
Whereas a failure to provide aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air defense systems 
        to the Armed Forces of Ukraine would embolden the Russian Federation and 
        further endanger the people of Ukraine;
Whereas the Biden Administration should support the transfer of aircraft, such 
        as MiG-29s, and air defense systems, including Stinger missiles and more 
        advanced surface-to-air missile systems, to Ukraine; and
Whereas Congress urges the Biden Administration to meet the air defense needs 
        requested by President Zelensky, including the transfer of aircraft, 
        such as MiG-29s, and other air defense systems: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) encourages the President of the United States to 
        support the transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air 
        defense systems to Ukraine;
            (2) supports continued efforts by members of the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization and other countries around the 
        globe to identify additional aviation and air defense 
        capabilities to transfer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine; and
            (3) stands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and 
        the people of Ukraine in their struggle against Russian 
        aggression.
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