The Biden administration is considering lifting a de facto ban on American military contractors deploying to Ukraine, according to four US officials familiar with the matter. This move is aimed at helping the country’s military maintain and repair US-provided weapons systems.
If approved, this change would signify a significant shift in the Biden administration’s Ukraine policy, as the US seeks to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities against Russia. The policy is still being finalized by administration officials and has not yet received final approval from President Joe Biden.
“We have not made any decisions and any discussion of this is premature,” said one administration official. “The president is absolutely firm that he will not be sending US troops to Ukraine.”
Once enacted, this change would allow the Pentagon to provide contracts to American companies for work inside Ukraine for the first time since Russia’s invasion in 2022. The goal is to expedite the maintenance and repairs of weapons systems used by the Ukrainian military.
Over the past two years, Biden has maintained a policy of keeping all Americans, especially US troops, away from the Ukrainian frontlines. US-provided military equipment that has been damaged in combat has had to be transported to other NATO countries for repairs. However, with the potential lifting of restrictions on American military contractors, repairs could be completed onsite in Ukraine more quickly.
This reconsideration of restrictions comes as Russia continues to make gains on the battlefield and US funding for Ukraine remains stalled in Congress. Allowing experienced American contractors to work in Ukraine means damaged equipment can be fixed faster, including advanced systems like the F-16 fighter jet.
Companies bidding for contracts in Ukraine would be required to develop robust risk mitigation plans to ensure the safety of their employees. This policy change is part of a series of decisions the US has made to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, including permitting Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia with US weapons.
Current and former officials familiar with the discussions emphasize that this policy change will not result in a large American contractor presence in Ukraine similar to that in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, it is expected to involve a limited number of contractors working in Ukraine at any given time. Retired Army officer Alex Vindman, who has advocated for lifting restrictions on American military contractors, believes this effort will provide focused support to Ukraine.
“Ukraine is an ally,” Vindman said. “The US has keen, critical national security interests in supporting Ukraine, and there are plenty of risk mitigation measures in place.”
