The last time a similar procedure was in place was during World War II.

Now it may become an important factor in the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation, writes the BBC.

Even before the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, US authorities began supplying Ukraine with lethal weapons.

Since the start of the war on February 24, military supplies have increased significantly to $ 3.7 billion.

The United States is giving Ukraine not only weapons and equipment, but also money to buy other weapons.

At times increase this military assistance has a law on land lease for Ukraine.

The U.S. Senate unanimously backed him on April 6.

On April 28, he was supported by the House of Representatives, now needs the signature of President Joe Biden, who strongly supports Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggressor.

When was the Land League law last passed and what did it give

The last time a law providing material assistance to European allies in the United States was passed was in March 1941, during World War II.

The

implied that Washington was handing

over military and civilian machinery, weapons, equipment, ammunition and other property to countries whose protection was "vital" in a short time. for the United States.

Such countries first included Great Britain and China, and then France and the USSR.

US President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Land League Act, 1941

During the 4 years of the war, the United States supplied the Allies with goods and weapons worth almost $ 50 billion, which at current prices would be about 700 billion. dollars.

It should be noted that the actual weapons, as well as tanks and aircraft, were a smaller part of the property that Washington transferred to Moscow.

Cars, radio stations, machine tools, wagons and locomotives, oil products, steel sheets, gunpowder, food and other goods were mainly leased.

Loading British tanks for the USSR

These products allowed the USSR to maintain the pace of production of its own weapons and equipment and led to the victory of the Allies.

For example, American wagons and fuel allowed to deliver reinforcements and weapons to the front.

Materials, machines used in the manufacture of military equipment, long-term storage products solved the problem of lack of food for Soviet soldiers and civilians.

According to previous agreements, the Soviet Union was to pay part of the property to the supplier, but the Soviet Union did not satisfy the $ 2.7 billion bill provided by the US government after the war.

During the long and difficult negotiations between the countries during the Cold War, this amount dropped to 720 million dollars.

The debt was finally repaid by the Russian Federation in 2006.

New-old program

The new war in Europe has shown the relevance of old aid instruments.

In fact, procedures similar to the American Lend-Lease, namely the free transfer of weapons and equipment to Ukraine, have been introduced by many European countries, as well as Canada, Japan and Australia.

The United States has decided that the land league bill for Ukraine will be able to bring these processes to a qualitatively new level.

The text of the document refers to giving the US president expanded powers to transfer or lease to Ukraine defense products to "protect civilians from Russian military invasion" and for other purposes.

The document also notes that any loan or lease of defense products to Ukraine will have conditions for repayment, compensation and repayment of the loan or lease.

After the adoption of the act, the head of the White House is obliged to establish accelerated procedures for delivery within 60 days.

The Ukrainian side reacted positively to the project and said it expects its adoption and implementation as soon as possible.

Green light

Former Ambassador of Ukraine to Washington

believes that this step is of great historical significance.

"Russia's aggression, which is aimed primarily at the destruction of Ukraine, is finally perceived as an existential threat to European and world security," he said.

Chaly points out that the law on the land league shows the confidence of the United States in the victory of Ukraine.

Indeed, if we draw historical parallels, the volume of military supplies from America to the Soviet Union increased significantly after the turning point in the war in 1943, when the Germans failed and began to retreat.

Elena Hetmanchuk

, director of the New Europe think tank, also points out that the land lease procedure will greatly simplify and speed up the provision of weapons to Ukraine, but in her opinion it is more symbolic than a practical gesture.

"After the United States gave the green light a couple of weeks ago to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons and actually became actively involved in this process, this bill is no longer so critical, but serves as an important signal of faith and trust - faith in Ukraine's victory and trust. to the Ukrainian military-political leadership, "- she explains to BBC News Ukraine.

At the same time, Hetmanchuk notes that the last word on this issue will be only for President Biden.

His position since 2014 on arms supplies to Ukraine has been transformed into a positive one for Kyiv, she notes.

"However, it is still not positive enough for positions such as fighters, for example," - added the analyst.

So far, Kyiv's requests for combat aircraft remain unanswered by Western allies.

The Land League Act provides good reason to move it.