Lend-Lease: how it was during the Second World War and how it will be now

When on May 9 the enemy remembered his past victories, our country came much closer to the future victory. It was on this day that an important document was signed - the Lend-Lease Law in Defense of Democracy in Ukraine. Thanks to a fateful decision, our army will receive modern weapons according to a similar scheme that operated 80 years ago, during World War II. Over the course of four years, from 1941 to 1945, the US reconfigured its economy and production to quickly and efficiently send weapons to Europe to defeat Germany and its allies. The very term "Lend-Lease", or Lend-Lease, is translated from English as "to lend". The main item was heavy equipment and ammunition. In addition, the United States allocated medicines, provisions, various raw materials, without which it was difficult to win the war. The American Treasury assumed financial obligations, as for the used weapons, after the end of the war, all serviceable equipment had to be returned or paid for in case of non-return.

The total amount of deliveries exceeded $50 billion, in 2018 this figure is equivalent to $750 billion. The main countries that received aid were the UK, the Soviet Union, France and China. Canada joined the United States, which also developed its own $4.7 billion aid program. It is worth noting that certain restrictions were imposed on the supply of weapons: not all US equipment was prepared to be provided to allied countries, especially the USSR. Even then it was clear that a long conflict was planned between these states. Therefore, under Lend-Lease, they decided not to supply heavy bombers, which could soon be used against the United States.

The current lend-lease, signed by US President Joe Biden, will allow Ukrainian soldiers to master modern types of weapons and forever forget about less reliable and accurate Soviet weapons. This assistance will not negatively affect the country's economy: just like 80 years ago after the victory, we will return all the whole equipment without paying any debts. Thanks to Lend-Lease, everything that Ukraine needs to win will be delivered as soon as possible. Moreover, the document provides for the possibility of assistance not only to Ukraine, but also to those Eastern European countries that may suffer as a result of Russian aggression. We invite you to see what Lend-Lease looked like in action more than half a century ago.