Policy and priority for strategic defense cooperation

(a) Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States— (1) to recognize the critical role of Eastern Flank strategic defense partners in defending NATO’s Eastern Flank, deterring aggression from hostile state actors, and advancing transatlantic security; (2) to prioritize cooperation with Eastern Flank strategic defense partners in the implementation of defense cooperation authorities; (3) to treat Eastern Flank strategic defense partners as priority recipients of security assistance under security assistance authorities; and (4) to support Ukraine, including with the security assistance necessary to deter Russian aggression against allies along NATO’s Eastern Flank. (b) Priority The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall, as appropriate and consistent with law, give priority to Eastern Flank strategic defense partners for the following: (1) Assistance under the Foreign Military Financing program under section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763). (2) Assistance under section 333 of title 10, United States Code (relating to authority to build the capacity of foreign security forces). (3) Transfer of excess defense articles under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j). (4) Participation in bilateral and multilateral military exercises, interoperability training, logistics, and forward mobility planning. (c) Implementation The policy established by subsection (a) and the priority established by subsection (b) shall be implemented to reinforce bilateral defense cooperation arrangements, including defense cooperation agreements, status of forces agreements, and other bilateral or multilateral agreements.