Ukraine Security Partnership Act

Bill: 116-s-4392
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2020-07-30
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances

Collective security

Congressional oversight

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Europe

Foreign aid and international relief

Foreign loans and debt

France

Germany

Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

Government lending and loan guarantees

Government studies and investigations

Human rights

International organizations and cooperation

Military assistance, sales, and agreements

Military command and structure

Military education and training

Military personnel and dependents

Military procurement, research, weapons development

Rule of law and government transparency

Russia

Sanctions

Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Ukraine
Latest action: action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-07-30
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Ukraine Security Partnership Act</b></p> <p>This bill contains provisions related to U.S. support for Ukraine.</p> <p>The Department of State shall report to Congress a strategy on (1) using diplomacy to support Ukraine, and (2) encouraging other countries to donate excess defense equipment to Ukraine. The State Department shall also establish a U.S.-Europe Working Group on Ukraine. </p> <p>The President shall appoint a Special Envoy for Ukraine, who shall engage in diplomatic activities related to the peace process between Ukraine and Russia and dialogue with countries in the Black Sea region.</p> <p>The bill also authorizes the State Department for FY2021-FY2025 to (1) provide grants and loans to Ukraine for acquiring U.S. defense equipment and services through the Foreign Military Financing program, and (2) provide training for Ukraine's military through the International Military Education and Training program. </p> <p>From FY2021-FY2025, Ukraine shall have priority access to excess U.S. defense articles. </p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4392 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 30, 2020 Mr. Risch (for himself, Mr. Menendez , Mr. Portman , Mr. Murphy , Mr. Barrasso , and Mrs. Shaheen ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To provide security assistance and strategic support to Ukraine, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ukraine Security Partnership Act . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Throughout its history, Ukraine has experienced long periods of occupation. (2) Between 1919 and 1991, Ukraine was brutally ruled by the Soviet Union, whose ruthless policy of agricultural collectivization caused the Holodomor of 1932–1933, a man-made famine that resulted in the death of at least 3,000,000 Ukrainians by starvation. (3) During the violent Nazi occupation of Ukraine accompanying World War II— (A) approximately 3,500,000 Ukrainian civilians and 3,000,000 soldiers were killed; and (B) approximately 1,500,000 Jews were massacred. (4) Ukraine declared its independence from Moscow in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. (5) In the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, the Russian Federation, the United States, and the United Kingdom pledged to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine and refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine’s surrender of its nuclear arsenal. (6) From November 2004 through January 2005, thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets to peacefully protest electoral fraud and widespread corruption by the ruling elite in the 2004 Presidential election, successfully triggering a re-vote, in what became known as the Orange Revolution. (7) During Ukraine’s 2014 Revolution of Dignity, or Euromaidan, the pro-Russian government of President Viktor Yanukovych was forced to resign after thousands of Ukrainians peacefully protested Yanukovych’s decision to reject a closer relationship with the European Union and his continued systemic corruption, and over 100 of those protestors were killed by violent government suppression. (8) Fearful of Ukraine’s strengthened pro-Western orientation after the Revolution of Dignity, the Government of the Russian Federation, in violation of international law and in contravention of its commitments in the Budapest Memorandum— (A) sent undisclosed military personnel into Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea in February 2014 and has illegally occupied the Crimean Peninsula for the past six years; (B) sent covert military personnel into the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in April 2014, instigating and supporting a still-ongoing separatist war that has cost nearly 14,000 lives; and (C) provided the Buk missile system used by those Russian-backed separatists to shoot down Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board. (9) Under Russian control, Crimean authorities have kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured Crimean Tatars, opposition figures, activists, and other minority populations, and have persecuted religious minorities by pressing false charges of terrorism and deregistering religious centers. (10) In September 2014, in an attempt to stop the fighting that the Russian Federation had initiated in eastern Ukraine, France, Germany, Ukraine, the Russian Federation, the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE), and Russian-backed rebel leaders from eastern Ukraine signed the Minsk Protocol. (11) In February 2015, after the failure of the initial Minsk Protocol, the Russian Federation committed to the Minsk II Agreement, the roadmap for resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine, signed by the Governments of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany. (12) Despite these agreements, the Government of the Russian Federation continues to violate Ukrainian sovereignty through— (A) manipulation of Ukraine’s dependence on Russian natural gas, including cutting off access in 2014, which deprived Ukraine of its energy supply and transit fees; (B) espionage and clandestine assassinations on Ukrainian territory; (C) continuous cyber warfare against the Government of Ukraine and Ukrainian businesses, such as the NotPetya hack in 2017; and (D) seizure of Ukrainian property and citizens, including the November 2018 seizure in the Kerch Strait of three Ukrainian naval vessels and 24 Ukrainian officers on board those vessels. (13) In July 2018, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo issued the Crimea Declaration and reiterated in February 2020 on the sixth anniversary of Russia’s occupation that Crimea is Ukraine . (14) Since April 2014, at least 4,100 Ukrainian soldiers have died fighting for their country against the Russian Federation and Russian-backed rebels, while no less than 3,361 civilians have perished as a result of that fighting. (15) Despite Ukraine’s tumultuous history and neighborhood, in under 30 years it has risen from the collapse of the Soviet Union to become a developing democracy, steadily working to overcome its Soviet legacy of oppression, oligarchic control, and corruption. (16) Running on a strong anti-corruption platform, Volodymyr Zelenskyy won the 2019 presidential election with 73 percent of the vote, and his political party, Servant of the People, won a parliamentary majority in the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, marking the first time since independence that one party has controlled the Parliament, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Presidency. (17) The OSCE confirmed the 2019 elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected . (18) Since 2014, the Government of Ukraine has made difficult and substantial reforms in an effort to address corruption and more closely align with the West, such as slimming and decentralizing its bureaucracy, removing immunity from prosecution for Members of Parliament, reforming its gas, pension, and procurement systems, and working to adapt its military to the standards of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). (19) Despite progress in reforming many areas of Ukrainian governance, serious issues still remain, particularly in the areas of corruption and rule of law. (20) The United States Government has consistently supported Ukraine’s democratic transition and its fight against Russian-backed separatists by assisting its governance reform efforts, maintaining robust and coordinated sanctions against the Russian Federation alongside the European Union, and providing the Ukrainian military with training and equipment, including lethal defensive weaponry. (21) In addition to the United States, the European Union, European countries, and Canada have provided substantial diplomatic, monetary, and military support for Ukraine’s democratic transition and its fight against Russian-led separatists in eastern Ukraine, and also have implemented and maintained robust sanctions regimes against the Russian Federation for its illegal occupation of Crimea and its active destabilization of Ukraine. (22) the Government of Ukraine has steadfastly supported the United States and European allies by deploying troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, and NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR), allowing United States military planes to refuel on Ukrainian soil, and trading billions of dollars’ worth of goods and services with the United States. (23) NATO has recently decided to include Ukraine in its Enhanced Opportunities Partnership in recognition of Ukraine’s contributions to NATO missions and efforts to reform its military in line with NATO standards. (24) Since the Russian Federation's 2014 invasion of Ukraine, the United States Congress has demonstrated its support for Ukraine through the passage of legislation, including the Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–95 ; 22 U.S.C. 8901 et seq.), the Ukraine Freedom Support Act ( Public Law 113–272 ; 22 U.S.C. 8921 et seq.), the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative established under section 1250 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 ( Public Law 114–92 ; 129 Stat. 1068), the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act ( Public Law 115–44 ), and the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act of 2019 ( Public Law 116–92 , title LXXV), and the United States Congress continues to demonstrate strong support for assisting Ukraine in defending itself and deterring Russia. 3. Sense of the Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) Ukraine stands as a bulwark against the malign influence of the Russian Federation in Europe, and robust United States support for Ukraine is vital to United States national security and demonstrates the commitment of the United States to upholding a free and open international order; (2) since Ukraine’s independence in 1991, the Government and people of Ukraine have made significant strides towards improved governance, rule of law, anti-corruption measures, and economic reforms; (3) Ukraine’s long-term viability is directly connected to efforts to reduce corruption and build strong democratic institutions that are able to defend against internal and external corrupt actors; (4) the efforts and sacrifices of Ukrainian citizens to determine their own fate after centuries of oppression, through democratic representation and governance reforms, is evidence of that country’s dedication to a free, independent, and democratic future; (5) Ukraine has proven itself to be a valuable security partner of the United States, not simply a recipient of assistance; (6) it is in the national security interests of the United States to continue and deepen its security cooperation with Ukraine; (7) the United States should continue to place policy-based conditions on Ukraine’s receipt of financial and military assistance, as that mechanism has proven effective in incentivizing reforms in Ukraine; (8) the United States should continue to strongly support the provision of both lethal and non-lethal security assistance to the Government of Ukraine; (9) the United States should use its voice and vote at NATO to encourage the adoption of a policy by the Alliance that all of its member states will refuse to recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation; (10) the United States should continue to bolster the capacity of the Ukrainian Navy as it strives to fulfill the goals it set out in its Strategy of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 2035 ; (11) the military-focused technical, training, maintenance, and logistical assistance provided by the United States to Ukraine is as essential as the military hardware provided to the country; (12) all security assistance provided to Ukraine should continue to be subject to rigorous vetting requirements under section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2378d ) and section 362 of title 10, United States Code, including assistance provided to units in the National Guard of Ukraine as well as all units falling under the authority of the Ministry of Defense; (13) the Office of Defense Cooperation at the United States Embassy in Ukraine should be fully staffed with officers who serve three-year terms in order to administer the security assistance being provided to the country; (14) the Secretary of Defense should conduct an assessment of the staffing resources of the Office of Defense Cooperation and strongly consider providing additional staff to the Office of Defense Cooperation in Ukraine; (15) the enduring partnership between the United States and Ukraine, including bipartisan support for a sovereign, democratic, and whole Ukraine through political, monetary, and military assistance, remains strong and must continue to be reaffirmed; and (16) the United States should continue to strongly support Ukraine’s ambitions to join the Euro-Atlantic community of democracies. 4. Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States— (1) to refuse to recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, an action that was taken in contravention of international law; (2) to utilize existing sanctions and other authorities to deter malign actions by the Russian Federation in Ukraine, including the mandates and authorities codified by the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act ( Public Law 115–44 ); and (3) to work with our European allies to coordinate strategies to curtail Russian malign influence in Ukraine. 5. Strategy on United States diplomatic support for Ukraine (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report with a strategy on how the United States will work to diplomatically support Ukraine during fiscal years 2021 through 2025. (b) Elements The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements: (1) A description of how relevant departments and agencies of the United States Government will work together to collectively support efforts by the Government of Ukraine to deter Russian aggression in the form of military incursions, cyber attacks, the coercive use of energy resources, use of passportization, and efforts to corrupt the Ukrainian political and economic systems. (2) A description of the United States current efforts and strategy to support Ukrainian diplomatic initiatives when they align with United States interests. (3) A strategy on how the United States will use its voice and vote at the United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, NATO, and other relevant international bodies to support Ukraine and its reform efforts. (4) A strategy on how the United States will assist Ukraine in bolstering its diplomatic and maritime relationships with key Black Sea countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, and Georgia. (5) A strategy on how the United States will engage with Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia to advance the Normandy Format and Minsk Agreements. (c) Form The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex. 6. United States-Europe Working Group on Ukraine (a) In general The Secretary of State shall seek to establish a United States-Europe Working Group on Ukraine. (b) Representation The United States-Europe Working Group on Ukraine should include high-level representatives from relevant European governments, as appropriate, to jointly prioritize, evaluate and coordinate economic and policy reform assistance and support for Ukraine. (c) Regular meetings The working group should meet not less than twice per year. (d) Termination The authorities under this section shall terminate on September 30 of the fifth fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 7. Special Envoy for Ukraine (a) Establishment The President shall appoint, by and with the consent of the Senate, a Special Envoy for Ukraine, who shall report to the Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia. (b) Rank The Special Envoy for Ukraine shall have the rank and status of ambassador. (c) Responsibilities The Special Envoy for Ukraine shall— (1) serve as the United States liaison to the Normandy Format, tasked with leading the peace process between Ukraine and the Russian Federation; (2) facilitate diplomatic outreach to and dialogue with countries in the Black Sea region; (3) coordinate closely with the Chief of Mission in Ukraine; (4) coordinate with the United States-Europe Working Group on Ukraine established pursuant to section 6; and (5) provide the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives regular updates and briefings on the state of reforms in Ukraine and the status of peace negotiations. (d) Termination The Special Envoy for Ukraine position established under subsection (a) shall terminate 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 8. Foreign military financing (a) Authorization of Appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated for the Department of State for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 $300,000,000 for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance to Ukraine to assist the country in meeting its defense needs. (b) Availability of funds (1) In general Of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year pursuant to subsection (a), not more than $150,000,000 shall be made available until the Secretary of State makes the certification described in paragraph (2) for such fiscal year, including a detailed explanation justifying the certification with respect to each of the categories listed in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of such paragraph. The certification shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex. (2) Certification The certification described in this paragraph is a certification by the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, that the Government of Ukraine has taken substantial actions to— (A) make defense institutional reforms, in accordance with NATO standards; (B) further strengthen civilian control of the military; (C) reform its state-owned arms production sector; (D) increase transparency and accountability in defense procurement; (E) promote military officers based on merit; (F) respect Verkhovna Rada efforts to exercise oversight of the Ministry of Defense and military forces; and (G) promote respect for the observation of human rights within the security forces of Ukraine so that such forces meet the requirements enshrined in section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2378d ). (c) Notice to Congress Not later than 15 days before providing assistance or support under pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a notification containing the following: (1) A detailed description of the assistance or support to be provided, including— (A) the objectives of such assistance or support; (B) the budget for such assistance or support; and (C) the expected or estimated timeline for delivery of such assistance or support. (2) A description of such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate. (d) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that assistance provided under this section should— (1) prioritize the procurement of vessels for the Ukrainian Navy and other articles that bolster the capacity of the Ukrainian Navy to counter Russian maritime aggression and maintain the freedom of innocent passage throughout the Black Sea; and (2) ensure adequate planning for maintenance for any equipment provided. (e) Authority To Provide Lethal Assistance The Secretary of State is authorized to provide lethal assistance under this section, including anti-armor weapon systems, mortars, crew-served weapons and ammunition, grenade launchers and ammunition, anti-tank weapons systems, anti-ship weapons systems, anti-aircraft weapons systems, and small arms and ammunition. (f) Transfer authority The Secretary of Defense may transfer amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for assistance under section 333 of title 10, United States Code, to the Department of State to be made available for Foreign Military Finance assistance to Ukraine. 9. Report on capability and capacity requirements of military forces of Ukraine and resource plan for security assistance (a) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the capability and capacity requirements of the military forces of Ukraine, which shall include the following: (1) An analysis of the capability gaps and capacity shortfalls of the military forces of Ukraine that includes— (A) an assessment of the requirements of the navy of Ukraine to accomplish its assigned missions; and (B) an assessment of the requirements of the air force of Ukraine to accomplish its assigned missions. (2) An assessment of the relative priority as signed by the Government of Ukraine to addressing such capability gaps and capacity shortfalls. (3) An assessment of the capability gaps and five capacity shortfalls that— (A) could be addressed in a sufficient and timely manner by unilateral efforts of the Government of Ukraine; and (B) are unlikely to be addressed in a sufficient and timely manner solely through unilateral efforts. (4) An assessment of the capability gaps and capacity shortfalls described in paragraph (3)(B) that could be addressed in a sufficient and timely manner by— (A) the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative of the Department of Defense; (B) Department of Defense security assistance authorized by section 333 of title 10, United States Code; (C) the Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales programs of the Department of State; or (D) the provision of excess defense articles. (5) An assessment of the human resources requirements of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the United States Embassy in Kyiv and any gaps in the capacity of such Office of Defense Cooperation to provide security assistance to Ukraine. (6) Any recommendations the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State consider appropriate concerning the coordination of security assistance efforts of the Department of Defense and the Department of State with respect to Ukraine. (b) Resource plan Not later than February 15, 2022, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a resource plan for United States security assistance with respect to Ukraine, which shall include the following: (1) A plan to resource the following initiatives and programs with respect to Ukraine in fiscal year 2023 and the four succeeding fiscal years to meet the most critical capability gaps and capacity short falls of the military forces of Ukraine: (A) The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative of the Department of Defense. (B) Department of Defense security assistance authorized by section 333 of title 10, United States Code. (C) The Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales programs of the Department of State. (D) The provision of excess defense articles. (2) With respect to the Ukrainian Navy, the following: (A) A capability development plan, with milestones, detailing the manner in which the United States will assist the Government of Ukraine in meeting the requirements referred to in subsection (a)(1)(A). (B) A plan for United States cooperation with third countries and international organizations that have the resources and ability to provide immediate assistance to the navy of Ukraine while maintaining interoperability with United States platforms to the extent feasible. (C) A plan to prioritize the provision of excess defense articles for the Ukrainian Navy to the extent practicable during fiscal year 2023 and the four succeeding fiscal years. (D) An assessment of the manner in which United States security assistance to the Ukrainian Navy is in the national security interests of the United States. (3) With respect to the Ukrainian Air Force, the following: (A) A capability development plan, with milestones, detailing the manner in which the United States will assist the Government of Ukraine in meeting the requirements referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B). (B) A plan for United States cooperation with third countries and international organizations that have the resources and ability to provide immediate assistance to the Ukrainian Air Force while maintaining interoperability with United States platforms to the extent feasible. (C) A plan to prioritize the provision of excess defense articles for the Ukrainian Air Force to the extent practicable during fiscal year 2023 and the four succeeding fiscal years. (D) An assessment of the manner in which United States security assistance to the Ukrainian Air Force is in the national security interests of the United States. (4) An assessment of progress on defense institutional reforms in Ukraine, including with respect to the navy and air force of Ukraine, during fiscal year 2023 and the four succeeding fiscal years that will be essential for— (A) enabling effective use and sustainment of capabilities developed under security assistance authorities described in this section; (B) enhancing the defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine; (C) achieving the stated goal of the Government of Ukraine of meeting North Atlantic Treaty Organization standards; and (D) allowing Ukraine to achieve its full potential as a strategic partner of the United States. (c) Form The report required by subsection (a) and the resource plan required by subsection (b) shall each be submitted in a classified form with an unclassified summary. (d) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. 10. Expedited excess defense articles transfer program During fiscal years 2021 through 2025, the delivery of excess defense articles to Ukraine shall be given the same priority as that given other countries and regions under section 516(c)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2321j(c)(2) ). 11. Strategy on excess defense articles from allies (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a classified strategy on how the United States will encourage third countries to donate excess defense equipment to Ukraine. (b) Elements The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements: (1) A listing of all friendly and allied nations that have excess defense material that may be compatible with the needs and systems utilized by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. (2) A description of the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the United States Government to encourage allied nations to donate their excess defense articles to Ukraine on an expedited basis. 12. IMET cooperation with Ukraine (a) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance for Ukraine. The assistance shall be made available for the following purposes: (1) Training of future leaders. (2) Fostering a better understanding of the United States. (3) Establishing a rapport between the United States Armed Forces and Ukraine’s military to build partnerships for the future. (4) Enhancement of interoperability and capabilities for joint operations. (5) Focusing on professional military education, civilian control of the military, and human rights. (b) Availability of funds (1) In general Of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year pursuant to subsection (a), not more than $3,000,000 may be made available until the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, makes the certification described in paragraph (2) to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, including a detailed explanation justifying the certification with respect to each of the categories listed in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of such paragraph. The certification shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex. (2) Certification The certification described in this paragraph is a certification by the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, that the Government of Ukraine has taken substantial actions to— (A) make defense institutional reforms, in accordance with NATO standards; (B) further strengthen civilian control of the military; (C) reform its state-owned arms production sector; (D) increase transparency and accountability in defense procurement; (E) promote military officers based on merit; (F) respect Verkhovna Rada efforts to exercise oversight of the Ministry of Defense and military forces; and (G) promote respect for the observation of human rights within the security forces of Ukraine so that such forces meet the requirements enshrined in section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2378d ). (c) Notice to Congress Not later than 15 days before providing assistance or support pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a notification containing the following elements: (1) A detailed description of the assistance or support to be provided, including— (A) the objectives of such assistance or support; (B) the budget for such assistance or support; and (C) the expected or estimated timeline for delivery of such assistance or support. (2) A description of such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate. 13. Strategy on IMET programming in Ukraine (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the Government of Ukraine should fully utilize the United States IMET program, encourage eligible officers to participate in the training, and promote successful graduates to positions of prominence in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. (b) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy for the implementation of the IMET program in Ukraine authorized under section 12. (c) Elements The strategy required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements: (1) A clear plan, developed in close consultation with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, for how the IMET program will be used by the United States Government and the Government of Ukraine to propel program graduates to positions of prominence in support of the Ukrainian military’s reform efforts in line with NATO standards. (2) An assessment of the education and training requirements of the Ukrainian military and clear recommendations for how IMET graduates should be assigned by the Ukrainian military upon completion of education or training. (3) An accounting of the current combat requirements of the Ukrainian military and an assessment of the viability of alternative mobile training teams, distributed learning, and other flexible solutions to reach such students. (4) An identification of opportunities to influence the next generation of leaders through attendance at United States service academies, staff and war colleges, junior leader development programs, and technical schools. (d) Form The strategy required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex. 14. Sense of Congress on loan program It is the sense of Congress that— (1) as appropriate, the United States Government should provide direct loans to Ukraine for the procurement of defense articles, defense services, and design and construction services pursuant to the authority of section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2763 ) to support the further development of Ukraine’s military forces; and (2) such loans should be considered an additive security assistance tool, and not a substitute for Foreign Military Financing for grant assistance or Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative programming. 15. Appropriate congressional committees In this Act, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.