Trump signs 2019 defense budget, including USD 250 mln for Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump signed on Aug. 13 the 2019
U.S. defense budget that includes USD 250 mln for Ukrainian defense needs,
particularly USD 50 mln for lethal weapons, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency
reported. The bill also includes the conditions for cyber defense cooperation
with Ukraine, which calls for providing aid to Ukraine to defend against
cyberattacks, securing the government’s computer networks and reducing
dependence on Russian IT.

The bill also freezes funding for the Open Skies
program with the Russian government, in which U.S. and Russian planes flew over
each other’s territories to ensure they weren’t preparing for war or violating
international agreements, the rbc.ru news site reported. The bill alleges
Russia violated the Open Skies agreement by using infrared sensors and synthetic-aperture
radars during the flights, as well as using the gathered data for intelligence
use.

Zenon Zawada: Trump’s
strategy in dealing with Russia involves applying pressure with one arm, while
trying to find points of mutual cooperation and compromise on foreign policy
issues with the other. For Ukraine, this has helped prevent an escalation in
the fighting in Donbas, though Russia nonetheless is preparing for an expanded
conflict with its military buildup in the Azov Sea. Russia is also preparing to
destabilize the 2019 elections in Ukraine.