ensure the long-term sustainability of u.s. investments in the transformation of the ukrainian military from a soviet model to a nato force. the national defense authorization act requires the department of defense to certify defense reform progress to release half of the ukraine security assistance initiative, or u.s. ai funds, provision we find very helpful. based on recommendations from me and other key dod advisors, the department of defense in coordination with the department of state certified in may 2019 that ukraine had taken substantial actions to make defense institutional reforms for the purposes of decreasing corruption, increasing accountability, and sustaining improvements of combat capability. meriting obligation of the entire 250 million in usai funds. this brings me to the topic of
ukrainian ministry of defense reform to ensure the long-term sustainability of u.s. investments and the transformation of the ukrainian military from a soviet model to a nato interoperable force. the act requires the department of defense to certify defense reform progress to release half of the ukraine security assistance initiative or usai funds, a provision we find very helpful. based on recommendations from me and other key dod advisers, the department of defense in coordination with the department of state certified in may 2018 that ukraine had, quote, taken substantial actions to make institutional reforms for the purposes of decreasing corruption, increasing accountability and sustaining improvements of combat capability, unquote, meriting obligation of the entire 250 million in usai funds. this brings me to the topic of