A proposal to convert aid for Ukraine into a loan is gaining traction on Capitol Hill as a solution to satisfy Republican skeptics and Democrats and DONALD TRUMP, at least in theory. Ukrainians, on the other hand, say they need to see more details.

Republicans are seriously considering making $12 billion of the $60 billion that the Biden administration wants to send to Ukraine into a loan. Sen. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-S.C.) said he raised the prospect, which was inspired by Trump, with Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY during his trip to the country on Monday.

While the idea has circulated for weeks in Congress, Ukrainian officials suggest that Kyiv hasn't been kept in the loop as much. And they have questions.


"I have not heard any specific proposals for such a strategy being offered to Kyiv," a person close to Zelenskyy's office, granted anonymity to speak candidly, told NatSec Daily this morning. "But Kyiv would definitely need to know the conditions under which Ukraine will not have to pay it back."

That was backed up by Ukrainian Foreign Minister DMYTRO KULEBA, who told reporters today that while he wasn't shocked to hear about the idea, Ukrainians still "haven't seen any details of this proposal except the broad mentioning of loans instead of grants."

Because the loan would be potentially waivable, according to Graham's tweet, the idea "does not sound so critical," the person close to Zelenskyy's office added.

Generally, however, Kyiv doesn't love the idea: It is "somewhat offensive to people here" given security guarantees under the Budapest Memorandum signed in 1994, the person added.

Under that agreement — signed by Ukraine, the U.S. and others — Kyiv gave up its nuclear weapons, though the country could ask for assistance if it "should become a victim of an act of aggression or an object of a threat of aggression in which nuclear weapons are used," according to the text.

Ukraine has been making the case throughout the war that it needs more assistance yesterday, but this seems truer now more than ever. Russian troops have advanced since the beginning of the year, taking villages and pushing Ukrainian troops back. Zelenskyy has warned that his troops are extremely short of ammunition, and Kyiv is struggling to fill its ranks with men willing to fight.


These concerns were likely front of mind for Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN during a meeting of defense leaders at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany today, during which he made the case that the West must get its act together quickly to support Kyiv.

"The United States will not let Ukraine fail," Austin said. "This coalition will not let Ukraine fail. And the free world will not let Ukraine fail."


Other Ukrainians want any help they can get, loan or not, arguing that the U.S. will be handsomely repaid if the West helps Kyiv succeed.

"If we win, you will be paid back in Russian oil, gas, diamonds and fur," said VOLODYMYR OMELYAN, who used to serve as the country's infrastructure minister. "If we lose, there will be no issue about money — it will become the issue of how the West can survive."


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