ISOA Companies Poised for Ukraine Sustainment and Recovery

More than 800 days into the Russian invasion, it continues to be abundantly clear that Ukraine needs the immediate and expert support of its allies and partners to defeat its aggressor and rebuild the country. The member companies of the International Stability Operations Association (ISOA), which are already trusted and experienced stability operations partners of the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State and USAID, are poised for increased, consequential support to Ukraine for victory in their existential war against Russia. Likewise, ISOA companies are well-positioned to actively support and engage in the decades-long effort of rebuilding Ukraine for their ultimate recovery.

ISOA has strongly advocated for the option of U.S. companies operating inside Ukraine on DoD contracts since our initial letter to the Secretary of Defense on September 28, 2022. Recently, the U.S. Department of Defense has indicated that it is carefully reviewing this policy change. By allowing sustainment and logistics contracts – including essential maintenance, repair, and overhaul of vital equipment on the battlefield rather than hundreds of miles away – the Ukrainian military will be much more capable of sustaining its warfight against this vicious enemy. ISOA companies have had long experience of working in forward based contingency environments, and in the rear echelons in support of U.S. and allied forces. This is nothing different. The time for this to occur is now.

ISOA companies also have the expertise to make significant contributions to the rebuilding of Ukraine, and now, substantial funding for this rebuilding may have a clear path going forward. Not only did the U.S. Congress recently pass the Ukraine Supplemental bill to allow much needed armament and support for Ukraine, but Congress also passed a bill that would allow the U.S. Government to seize up to $300 billion of frozen Russian assets worldwide. The purpose of this seizure is to allow for the rebuilding and recovery of the infrastructure in Ukraine. This too has enormous ramifications for ISOA member organizations to contribute to innumerable massive reconstruction programs across Ukraine.

ISOA companies are expressly qualified to perform these difficult but essential jobs. Our members have extensive experience working in stability operations in fragile environments across the globe. Importantly, member companies make a commitment to provide these critical services in an accountable, transparent, and ethical way, consistent with the U.S. approach towards support to Ukraine.

As the association at the intersection of government and industry, ISOA will continue to advocate for the private sector to bring its experience and expertise to contribute to the defense and rebuilding of Ukraine. Only with effective public/private partnerships will we be able to help Ukraine defeat Russia and rebuild itself for the future.