Yes.. our Senate & house repeatedly voted to send military aid for Ukraine...
Congress Urges Obama To Sign Bill That Slaps New Sanctions On Russia, Gives Assistance To Ukraine
AP | By DONNA CASSATA
Posted: 12/15/2014 10:48 pm EST Updated: 12/15/2014 10:59 pm EST
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans and Democrats spoke with one voice on Monday in pressing President Barack Obama to sign legislation that would slap new sanctions on Russia while providing weapons and other assistance to Ukraine.
The widely popular legislation cleared Congress late Saturday, but the White House has remained non-committal about whether Obama will sign it into law. Administration officials say the president is evaluating the measure, which would target Russia’s energy and defense industries.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, issued a statement saying the bipartisan bill underscores Congress’ “strong moral commitment to the cause of the Ukrainian people” and he called on Obama to sign it immediately.
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said lawmakers “stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the Ukrainian government and its people against the aggression of Vladimir Putin who continues to upend the international order.”
The legislation would require the president to impose penalties on state-owned arms dealer Rosoboronexport and other Russian defense companies tied to unrest in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Syria. The sanctions would be extended to individuals and entities that help the companies.
The bill also would give the president the authority to provide lethal and non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine. This includes anti-tank weapons, counter-artillery radar and tactical surveillance drones. The bill also authorizes $350 million over two years to cover the cost.
Russia annexed Crimea earlier this year and has given support to pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, angering Western nations.
Visiting NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday, Ukraine’s prime minister asked for help for his country’s military as it tries to tamp down pro-Russian insurgents and pleaded for more financial aid from the European Union.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk said it was difficult to fight a nuclear Russia that is “armed to the teeth,” and he accused Putin of trying to eliminate an independent Ukraine.
“In the face of aggression and intimidation, they have had two successful elections,” Boehner said of Ukraine. “In the face of subterfuge, they have shown restraint. And in the face of cynicism from those who are not immediately facing the threat, they have defied expectations.”
The legislation is a rare example of unanimity in a divided Congress as the measure passed the House and Senate by voice vote. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko spoke to a joint session of Congress in September and was received warmly.
Menendez said: “The territorial integrity of Ukraine must be restored and President Putin must understand that his destabilizing actions have serious and profound consequences for his country.”
*** NOTE DATE OF ABOVE ARTICLE DECEMBER 17,2014!!!!
quote—Gives Assistance To Ukraine
Some but not enough,, our people in congress kinds chintzy..
A measly $250 million spread out for two years!!!!!!!!
Hell we send ME enemies more than that much every day.
We gave the solyndra crooks 550 million all at once and
they absconded with it after paying off politicians.
We spend that much on food stamps every two days.
We don’t have fight we just need to fund them,
and equip them at the proper level, and they will
whip the putlers and the terrorists.
Should be 350 million a month in equipment and supplies,
and some green to pay tropps.
And to make up for being so damn cheap and chickenshit,
not doing anything much good for a year, we should
slug in couple three billions worth of aid right now...