On December 18, 2015 President Barack Obama signed into law the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 passed by the Congress earlier that
day.
December 18, 2015. President Barack Obama signed into law the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 passed by the Congress earlier that day.
The Law is comprised of twelve bills that appropriate the funding for the
federal government. According to the Act, the U.S. assistance to Ukraine will
significantly increase.
Of the funds appropriated by the Department of State, Foreign Operations
and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016, constituting part of the omnibus
legislation, not less than $658,185,000 shall be made available for assistance
for Ukraine, which is $145 million above the initial request.
Combined with resources from other funds that may become available for
the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense, the total amount of
funds for the defense and security assistance to Ukraine may exceed the
authorized level of $300 millions allocated for Ukraine in the National Defense
Authorization Act, 2016. These appropriations also include $250 millions to be
available to the Secretary of Defense to provide Ukraine with assistance,
including training; equipment; lethal weapons of a defensive nature; logistics
support, supplies and services; sustainment; and intelligence support to the
military and national security forces of Ukraine.
Another important provision of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016
lifts a 40-year ban on the national crude oil exports. The decision will also
assist efforts to strengthen the European energy security, as well as to
decrease Ukraine’s reliance on the Russian energy resources.
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