Draft U.S. defense budget for 2025 includes important provisions for Ukraine – Markarova

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA 2025), passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on December 11, includes several critical measures to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova announced this on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

In particular, Section 1303 of the bill extends the prohibition on using any funds for actions that could lead to the recognition of Russian sovereignty over Ukraine's occupied territories.

Section 1534 instructs the U.S. Secretary of Defense to study the possibility of creating a Center of Excellence to support the development and maturation of artificial intelligence-enabled weapon systems. This center would aim to facilitate the Pentagon's collaboration with foreign partners, including Ukraine, to identify and promulgate best practices, safety guidelines, standards, and benchmarks.

Section 6411 directs the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, to submit to the Senate and House of Representatives committees on intelligence, foreign affairs, armed services, the judiciary, finance, and appropriations a report on Russia's financing of acts of international terrorism.

The 2025 defense budget also allocates $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), as mandated by last year's NDAA.

Markarova also noted that Ukraine would work to ensure the Senate's version of the NDAA includes a provision extending the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022.

On December 11, the House passed the NDAA 2025 with 281 votes in favor and 140 against, including opposition from 16 Republicans and 124 Democrats. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week.