Bipartisan senators seek appointment of Ukraine Security Assistance Coordinator

In the wake of continued fighting in Ukraine, U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are urging President Joe Biden to appoint a Ukraine Security Assistance Coordinator to aid support efforts.

“Even after their initial defeat, Russia’s ongoing military operations are an urgent call to re-assess how the United States can quickly and creatively provide Ukraine with the defense articles it needs to defend itself,” the legislators wrote. “The Ukraine Security Assistance Coordinator’s primary mission would be to lead the interagency effort in assessing Ukraine’s defense needs while de-conflicting overlapping areas of jurisdiction between the Department of State and the Department of Defense.”

The lawmakers maintain the appointee would additionally serve as the chief liaison between the United States Government, allies and partners abroad regarding the transfer of existing stocks and assessment of partner capabilities – including aircraft, tanks, and weapons made available to Ukraine.”

The Ukraine Security Assistance Coordinator is also slated to update the resource plan for security assistance required in Section 1236 of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.

“We commend your administration thus far in providing historic levels of support to Ukraine and working to ensure that these needs are met promptly,” the legislators concluded. “We also recognize that more can be done, and appointing a Ukraine Security Assistance Coordinator would streamline the overall effort while increasing transparency. It is imperative that we continue to provide our Ukrainian partners with the defense materiel they need to successfully defend their freedom and their homeland from Russia’s invasion.”