section 1353 travel

31 U.S. Code § 1353 - Acceptance of travel and related expenses from non-Federal sources

1990— Pub. L. 101–280, § 4(b)(1) , renumbered section 1352 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–280, § 4(c)(1) , substituted “in the executive branch (including an independent agency) may accept payment, or authorize an employee of such agency to accept payment on the agency’s behalf,” for “or employee in the executive branch may accept payment” .

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–280, § 4(c)(2)(A) , inserted “or 7342” after “section 4111”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 101–280, § 4(c)(2)(B) , substituted “(1),” for “(1)”.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 101–280, § 4(c)(3) , substituted “all executive agencies” for “any executive agency”.

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2021 US Code Title 31 - Money and Finance Subtitle II - The Budget Process Chapter 13 - Appropriations Subchapter III - Limitations, Exceptions, and Penalties Sec. 1353 - Acceptance of travel and related expenses from non-Federal sources

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Traveling on Official Business –  41 C.F.R. Chapter 304

Generally, your official travel must be paid with appropriated funds. Under certain circumstances, however, the Department or your bureau/office may accept in-kind travel benefits from a non-Federal source on your behalf, or the Department or your bureau/office may be reimbursed for your travel expenses by a non-Federal source.

Travel Expense Acceptance -  31 U.S.C. § 1353

This law allows Executive Branch agencies to accept reimbursement or in-kind donations from non-Federal sources for an employee's transportation expenses (including food, lodging, incidental expenses, and registration costs) to certain functions related to the employee's official duties.

Acceptance of travel expenses from non-Federal sources is only permitted when the employee's travel is for attendance at a conference, meeting, seminar, training course, speaking engagement, or similar event that takes place away from the employee's official duty station (the employee must be in a travel status). Travel under this authority may not be used for events required to carry out DOI's statutory and regulatory functions, such as investigations, inspections, audits, site visits, or to attend vendor promotional training.

In addition to an approved travel authorization, the employee must also have an approved ethics form  DI-2000  in advance of travel. Approval for accepting travel expenses is also subject to conflict-of-interest considerations. Acceptance of travel expenses from non-Federal sources will not be approved if it would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of all the relevant facts to question the integrity of the programs or operations of the Department, its offices, or bureaus.

It is not permissible for an employee to personally accept reimbursement from an outside source. All checks must be made out to DOI or to the employee's bureau. With prior approval, employees may accept "in kind" items such as airline tickets, meals, or hotel accommodations. In addition to accepting travel expenses for an employee, DOI may accept travel expenses for a spouse to accompany the employee to the same event where the spouse's presence is determined to be in the interest of DOI or the employee’s bureau.

Other Authorities to Accept Travel Expenses

31 U.S.C. § 1353 is the preferred authority to use if reimbursement or in-kind donation of travel expenses to a meeting or similar function is offered by an outside source. There are additional statutes that authorize acceptance of employees' travel expenses for other than meetings or similar functions.

The authority under  5 U.S.C. § 4111  to accept travel expenses from non-profit organizations described by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (with the approval of the DAEO or bureau ethics counselor), still exists when it is reasonably impractical for the agency to accept travel under 31 U.S.C. § 1353. Employees may also accept travel expenses under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act when the employee is attending an event other than a conference or a meeting, or occasions permissible under 31 U.S.C. § 1353.

Other provisions that remain in effect are (1) the authority under  5 U.S.C. § 3343  for employees to accept travel expenses in connection with details to foreign governments and public international organizations, (2) the authority under  5 U.S.C. § 5751  for employees and agencies to accept travel expenses when summoned or assigned to provide official testimony on behalf of parties other than the United States, and (3) the authority under  15 U.S.C. § 3710a  to carry out agreements under the Federal Technology Transfer Act.

Finally, there are statutory authorities that allow bureaus to accept gifts of travel, food, and lodging, in connection with programs for the advancement of Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, or other bureau-specific programs that are not covered under 31 U.S.C. § 1353. Assistance in using these authorities is provided by the Departmental Ethics Office, ethics counselors from your bureau, and your Solicitor's Office General Law Division.

Frequent Flyer Benefits -  41 C.F.R. § 301-53

Federal employees may retain for personal use promotional items, including frequent flyer miles, earned on official travel.

Airline Bumping Benefits

An employee may voluntarily give up his or her seat on an oversold flight as long as it does not interfere with his or her official duties and there is no increase in costs to the Government. If this situation applies, the employee may keep any gift or compensation under the following conditions. The employee may not claim additional travel expenses, including per diem, as a result of giving up his or her seat. The employee must take annual leave if his or her travel is delayed during duty hours and pay any expenses accrued while on leave. Any benefits resulting from an employee being involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight belong to the Government.

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31 USC 1353 – Acceptance of travel and related expenses from non-Federal sources

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics, shall prescribe by regulation the conditions under which an agency in the executive branch (including an independent agency) may accept payment, or authorize an employee of such agency to accept payment on the agency’s behalf, from non-Federal sources for travel, subsistence, and related expenses with respect to attendance of the employee (or the spouse of such employee) at any meeting or similar function relating to the official duties of the employee. Any cash payment so accepted shall be credited to the appropriation applicable to such expenses. In the case of a payment in kind so accepted, a pro rata reduction shall be made in any entitlement of the employee to payment from the Government for such expenses.

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Terms Used In 31 USC 1353

• Appropriation : The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
• Entitlement : A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
• officer : includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office. See 1 USC 1

(b) Except as provided in this section or section 4111 or 7342 of title 5, an agency or employee may not accept payment for expenses referred to in subsection (a). An employee who accepts any payment in violation of the preceding sentence—

(1) may be required, in addition to any penalty provided by law, to repay, for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury, an amount equal to the amount of the payment so accepted; and

(2) in the case of a repayment under paragraph (1), shall not be entitled to any payment from the Government for such expenses.

(c) As used in this section—

(1) the term “executive branch” means all executive agencies (as such term is defined in section 105 of title 5 ); and

(2) the term “employee in the executive branch” means—

(A) an appointed officer or employee in the executive branch; and

(B) an expert or consultant in the executive branch, under section 3109 of title 5 ; and

(3) the term “payment” means a payment or reimbursement, in cash or in kind.

(d)(1) The head of each agency of the executive branch shall, in the manner provided in paragraph (2), submit to the Director of the Office of Government Ethics reports of payments of more than $250 accepted under this section with respect to employees of the agency. The Director shall make such reports available for public inspection and copying.

(2) The reports required by paragraph (1) shall, with respect to each payment—

(A) specify the amount and method of payment, the name of the person making the payment, the name of the employee, the nature of the meeting or similar function, the time and place of travel, the nature of the expenses, and such other information as the Administrator of General Services may prescribe by regulation under subsection (a);

(B) be submitted not later than May 31 of each year with respect to payments in the preceding period beginning on October 1 and ending on March 31; and

(C) be submitted not later than November 30 of each year with respect to payments in the preceding period beginning on April 1 and ending on September 30.

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DI-2000 Guidance for USGS Employees, Volunteers, and Student Contractors

This DI-2000 guidance contains the following subjects:

• An introduction to the DI-2000
• Important definitions
• When you should not submit a DI-2000
• Where to fill out the DI-2000
• Tips for filing out the DI-2000
• What the USGS Ethics Office looks for when reviewing a DI-2000
• Ethical guidelines for speaking/presenting in your official capacity
• Reimbursement by check to USGS
• Edits to the value of travel expenses accepted
• Unexpected gifts of travel expenses
• 31 U.S. Code Section 1353/ DI-2000 summary
• DI-2000 FAQs  

An introduction to the DI-2000:

Various legal authorities ( i.e ., statutes) enable USGS to accept gifts of official travel or expenses from non-Federal sources.  A general overview of the various legal authorities used to accept travel expenses from non-Federal sources can be found here .   

• Solicitations of travel expenses from a non-Federal source is absolutely prohibited.  While you may not solicit payment for travel expenses, you may inform the non-Federal source that USGS has the authority to accept travel expenses (by reimbursement or provision “in-kind”).   

The most commonly used legal authority is 31 U.S. Code Section 1353 .  Guidance from the General Services Administration (GSA) is that agencies should utilize 31 U.S. Code Section 1353 whenever possible and before considering other legal authorities. 

Title 31 U.S. Code Section 1353 is legal authority that permits:

• USGS to accept
• travel, subsistence, and related expenses
• from a non-Federal source
• for official travel, away from the traveler’s duty station and residence,
• to attend a meeting which can be a conference, seminar, workshop, symposium, speaking engagement, training course or similar event.   

The regulations implementing 31 U.S. Code Section 1353 are at 41 C.F.R. Section 304.   Traveler responsibilities are explained at 41 C.F.R. Section 304-3 .

Acceptance of travel expenses using this legal authority (31 U.S. Code Section 1353) is documented with a DI-2000 form.  

With an approved DI-2000, non-Federal entities can pay for travel expenses either by a reimbursement check made payable to USGS or non-Federal entities can provide travel expenses “in-kind” directly to the traveler. 

• Travelers may not accept a check payable to them or “sign over” a check to USGS. 
• Travelers may never accept cash or like forms of cash ( e.g. , checks, Bitcoin, wire transfers, etc.) from non-Federal entities for travel expenses.  Accepting cash for travel expenses from a non-Federal source has a highly questionable appearance and must be avoided at all costs.
• Travelers may accept “in-kind” travel expenses that are provided to them directly (such as an airline ticket, a hotel room, or meals).  “In-kind” means that the non-Federal entity provides the airfare, lodging, registration fee, or other travel expense and pays the vendor(s) directly. 

You MUST submit a DI-2000 regardless of whether the non-Federal entity pays for the travel expenses by check to USGS or “in-kind.” 

You MUST submit a DI-2000 if you are speaking at a conference (or similar event) and the registration fee has been waived for you AND:

• you plan to attend any portion of the conference (or similar event) other than when you are speaking; OR
• you plan to accept “in-kind” items that are included in the registration fee for all meeting attendees ( e.g ., meals, informational materials, etc.); OR
• you plan to accept other travel expense(s) from the same non-Federal entity during the same trip. 

Travelers must be on a USGS Travel Authorization for the USGS to accept travel expenses under 31 U.S. Code Section 1353.    

If you are on official travel within the United States , submit a DI-2000 in SharePoint Webforms at least five business days before your trip to request Ethics Office approval to accept travel expenses from a non-Federal source.

If you are traveling internationally , on your DI-1175 in SharePoint Webforms you must select that you will be accepting funds from a non-Federal entity, which generates a drop down selection of legal authorities to choose from; when you select 31 U.S. Code Section 1353 as the legal authority to accept travel funds from the non-Federal source, a DI-2000 is automatically generated within the DI-1175. 

If you are traveling to Canada , you must file a Canada Travel Request form (in the Other Forms section of SharePoint Webforms) to obtain authorization to travel to Canada on official business and fill out a hardcopy DI-2000 (with the words “CANADA TRAVEL” printed on the hardcopy DI-2000).  After completing the form (and ensuring that your Supervisor has signed/dated the form), scan it to [email protected] to request approval at least five business days before your trip.

DI-2000 FAQs may be found here . 

Important definitions:

Meeting or similar function.  A conference, seminar, workshop, symposium, speaking engagement, training course, or similar event that takes place away from the traveler’s duty station.  This term does not include (1) events to carry out USGS’s statutory and regulatory functions (such as investigations, inspections, and audits) and (2) promotional vendor training or other meetings held for the primary purpose of marketing the non-Federal source’s products or services. 

Non-Federal source.   Any person or entity other than the Government of the United States.  The term includes any individual, private or commercial entity, nonprofit organization or association, state, local, or foreign government, or international or multinational organization.

Payment in-kind.   Goods or services provided directly to the traveler in lieu of funds paid to USGS by check.

Travel, subsistence, and related expenses.   Transportation, meals, lodging, and other items related either to travel tickets or paid bills for such travel and related expenses.  The term also includes expenses such as conference or workshop registration fees and includes other benefits which cannot be paid under the applicable standard travel regulations, which are provided in-kind and made available by the sponsor to all attendees incident to and for use at the meeting or similar function.

When you should NOT submit a DI-2000 :

• When the purpose of the trip is NOT to attend a meeting, seminar, symposium, workshop or similar event.  For example, if the purpose of the trip is fieldwork then you would not submit a DI-2000.  Information about the various legal authorities used to accept travel expenses from non-Federal sources can be found here .   
• If you do not have an approved USGS Travel Authorization.  To be eligible for a USGS travel authorization, an event or activity must be more than 50 miles away from both your duty station and residence.
• If you want approval to accept free attendance at a local Widely Attended Gathering (WAG), you must submit a DI-1958 .  More information about WAGs can be found on the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) website here and in the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, 5 C.F.R. Section 2635.204(g) .
• If you are not in travel status and wish to accept free or reduced registration fees, mileage, parking, or tolls paid for by a non-Federal entity.  In this situation, you need to fill out a Contribution Information and Approval Form 9-3089.  More information about contributions to the USGS and the 9-3089 can be found on our website here .
• If you will be speaking at an event and will only be accepting a waiver or a reduction of the registration fee from the sponsor of the event to attend the portion of the event at which you will speak or present information and you will not attend any other sessions, accept any other meals, informational materials, or other tangible items of monetary value from the non-Federal entity.  5 C.F.R. 2635.203(b)(8)(ii).  
• If another Federal agency or DOI bureau is reimbursing USGS for all or a portion of your travel expenses, you will need a Inter/Intra Agency Travel Agreement (ITA).  The USGS Financial Operating Procedures (FOP) Handbook contains the policies and procedures for ITAs.
• If travel expense funding is specifically provided in a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) or Collaborative Agreement.  Information regarding these types of agreements is on the USGS Office of Policy and Analysis (OPA) website.
• For lodging if you are staying with a friend or family ( i.e., when no lodging cost incurred) while on official travel. 
• Vendor promotional training.
• If you would be traveling to carry out DOI/USGS’s statutory and regulatory functions, including but not limited to investigations, inspections, and audits.

Where to fill out the DI-2000 :

If you are on official travel within the United States , submit a DI-2000 in SharePoint Webforms at least five business days before your trip to obtain approval to accept travel expenses from a non-Federal source.  In Webforms the DI-2000 will be routed to your supervisor and then to the USGS Ethics Office for approval (once your supervisor has signed it). 

By contrast, if you are traveling internationally , on your DI-1175 in SharePoint Webforms you must select that you will be accepting funds from a non-Federal entity, which generates a drop down selection of legal authorities to choose from; when you select 31 U.S. Code Section 1353 as the legal authority to accept travel funds from the non-Federal source, a DI-2000 is automatically generated within the DI-1175.

• Within the DI-1175, the DI-2000 begins here: 

If you are traveling to Canada , you must file a Canada Travel Request form (in the Other Forms section of SharePoint Webforms) to obtain authorization to travel to Canada on official business and fill out a hardcopy DI-2000 (with the words “CANADA TRAVEL” printed on the hardcopy DI-2000).  After completing the form (and ensuring that your Supervisor has signed the form), scan it to [email protected] for approval at least five business days before your trip.

More information about forms in general can be found on our forms webpage . 

Tips for filling out the DI-2000 :

Before filling out the DI-2000, the traveler or Administrative Officer (AO) needs to:

(1)  Determine the trip costs including:

• Transportation fares
• Lodging expenses
• Meals for the travel days
• Meals for the meeting/ conference/ event days
• Incidental expenses for the travel days (incidental expenses cannot be provided in-kind and must be either reimbursed to USGS by check from a non-Federal source or paid to the traveler by USGS) 
• Incidental expenses for the meeting/ conference/ event days (incidental expenses cannot be provided in-kind and must be either reimbursed to USGS by check from a non-Federal source or paid to the traveler by USGS) 
• Meeting and conference attendance/registration fees and what these fees include for all attendees ( e.g ., lunches, informational materials, technical events, etc.) as well as what these fees do not include ( e.g ., optional conference dinners, optional workshops, optional short courses etc.)
• Any other trip expenses

(2)  Determine whether the non-Federal entity or the USGS is paying for each travel expense cost. 

Travelers should add the name of their AO (or other person) as a reader on the DI-2000.  This will enable that person to view and print the DI-2000.

DI-2000 must be submitted at least five business days before the trip.

The DI-2000 must approved  PRIOR  to travel, so travel expense amounts must be estimated.  

• If the estimated total amount of expenses is  more than  the actual total amount of travel expenses received from the non-Federal entity, the DI-2000 does not need to be corrected.
• If you need to correct the travel expense amounts on your DI-2000, you need to print the DI-2000, make the corrections in writing with pen, initial the corrections, then scan the corrected DI-2000 to [email protected] for approval immediately upon returning from your trip.  
• The USGS Office of Accounting and Financial Management (OAFM) will not process a voucher if it contains a DI-2000 for less than the amount of travel expenses received from the non-Federal entity. 

In other words,  overestimate within reason.  

Travel expenses MUST be itemized on the DI-2000. Do not write “travel expenses” or “financial support” with a total amount.  A breakdown of the travel expenses being reimbursed or provided, and the value of each expense must be shown on the DI-2000.

• 3 days of lodging (city, state/country)
• 4 breakfasts (city, state/country)
• 2 dinners (city, state/country)
• Per diem is the allowance for lodging (excluding taxes), meals and incidental expenses.  You can determine per diem rates here: https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates/per-diem-rates-lookup
• If you prefer to describe your lodging, meals, and incidental expenses as “per diem” you must list which city the per diem is for and how many days of per diem are being provided.  
• If the non-Federal source is providing per diem on a travel day that MUST be specifically indicated.  On travel days, travelers are only eligible for 75 percent of the total M&IE rate for their temporary duty travel location (not the official duty station location).
• If the non-Federal entity is providing per diem in-kind , then incidental expenses must be subtracted from the daily allowance and listed separately because incidental expenses cannot be provided in-kind and must be reimbursed by the non-Federal entity to USGS by check or paid to the traveler by USGS.
• Airfare from (city, state/country) to (city, state/country). 
• The amount of the meeting’s registration fee that is waived or reduced.  You MUST also note what the registration fee includes for all meeting attendees including but not limited to: meals (including the number of meals provided and whether the meals are breakfast, lunch, or dinner), technical events associated with the meeting, afterhours entertainment that is consecutive with the meeting, informational materials, and event excursion(s).
• If you have no entry in a column, insert $0.00 in the column.
• If a travelers’ spouse is accompanying them on the trip, the traveler MUST send an email to the USGS Ethics Office at [email protected] confirming that the traveler will be personally paying for all travel expenses incurred by the spouse and that no reimbursement for the spouse’s travel expenses will be provided by the USGS or the non-Federal entity.
• support the mission of the USGS or will substantially assist the traveler in carrying out their official duties;
• attend a ceremony at which traveler will receive an award or honorary degree; or
• participate in substantive programs related to USGS programs/ operations.
• In section (d) select either A, B, C, or D as applicable from the non-Federal Source of Payment section.
• To add additional lines to the Nature of Payments section of the DI-2000, click the “insert item” button.

What the USGS Ethics Office looks for when reviewing a DI-2000 :

When reviewing a DI-2000 the USGS Ethics Office will consider whether the acceptance of the non-Federal payment under the circumstances would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of all the facts to question the integrity of USGS programs or operations.  Consistent with 41 C.F.R. Section 304-5.3 , the USGS Ethics Office will consider the following factors:

    1.  Identity of the non-Federal source;

    2.  Purpose of the meeting;

    3.  Identity of the other expected participants;

    4.  Nature and sensitivity of any matter pending at USGS which may affect the interest of the non-Federal source;

    5.  Significance of the traveler’s role in any such matter; and

    6.  Monetary value and character of the travel benefits offered by the non-Federal source.

In addition to reviewing your DI-2000 for any conflict of interest considerations, the USGS Ethics Office must report the information within the DI-2000.  USGS/DOI is  required to submit to the Director of OGE semiannual reports of payments for travel, subsistence, and related expenses received from non-Federal sources in connection with the attendance of travelers at certain meetings or similar functions.

Ethical guidelines for speaking/presenting information in your official capacity :

If you will be speaking at an event for which you have an approved DI-2000, note the following ethical guidelines for speaking/presenting information in your official capacity:

• Official Title – Use of official title is permitted because you will be attending and presenting in your official capacity.  5 C.F.R. Section 2635.702 .  Note: Presentations of USGS work or research may not be made while in a non-duty status.
• Endorsement – You must not use your Government position or title, or any authority associated with your public office, to endorse the non-Federal entity or any other product, service, or enterprise, including non-profit and charitable organizations that may have some affiliation with USGS.  5 C.F.R. Section 2635.702(c) .
• Nonpublic Information – You must not discuss any nonpublic information you have gained by reason of your Federal position.  5 C.F.R. Section 2635.703 .
• No Partisan Political Activity – While you may discuss USGS’s policy priorities and ideological approach to laws and regulations, you must strictly avoid partisan political activity to remain in compliance with the Hatch Act.  Partisan political activity is any activity directed towards the success or failure of a political party, candidate for a partisan political office, or partisan political group and can include verbal remarks and speech.

Reimbursement by check to USGS :

It is not permissible for a traveler to personally accept reimbursement of travel expenses ( e.g. , cash, checks or bank wires) from a non-Federal source.  All checks must be made out to USGS.  Travelers may not accept checks made out to them and may not “sign over” or endorse a check for deposit into a USGS account.  By contrast, traveler may accept “in-kind” items such as airline tickets, meals, or hotel accommodations that are purchased or paid for directly or provided “in-kind” by the non-Federal entity.

With an approved DI-2000, when the reimbursement is by check (rather than in-kind):

• Reimbursements must be made payable to USGS.
• A Bill for Collection (DI-1040 in SharePoint Webforms) must be requested through the Receivables Management Section (RMS) of the Office of Accounting and Financial Management for reimbursements to occur. 
• Wire transfers are possible – contact the Office of Accounting and Finance for information.
• If you receive a check to USGS, fill out a 9-3110 in SharePoint Webforms and submit a copy of the form and the check to USGS-OAFM-RMS, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., MS 271, Reston, VA 20192.

Edits to the value of travel expenses accepted :

The DI-2000 must approved prior to travel, so travel expense amounts must be estimated on the DI-2000.  If a traveler has an approved DI-2000 but the value of the travel expense(s) was more or less than originally estimated on the DI-2000, post-travel action is needed:

• If you need to correct the travel expense amount(s) on your DI-2000, you need to print the DI-2000, make the corrections in writing with pen, initial the corrections, then scan the corrected DI-2000 to [email protected] for approval immediately upon returning from your trip (but no later than 7 working days after returning). 

Unexpected gifts of travel expenses :

If you have an approved DI-2000 and the USGS Ethics Office has approved other travel expenses from the same non-Federal source, then you may accept additional travel expenses from the same non-Federal source during your trip if:

• the expenses paid or provided in-kind are comparable in value to those offered to or purchased by other similarly situated meeting attendees; and
• the USGS Ethics Office did not decline to accept payment for those expenses in advance of your travel.

In such situations, travelers should email  [email protected]   as soon as possible (but no later than 7 working days after returning from their trip) if they need to make edits to their DI-2000 regarding the types of travel expenses accepted from a non-Federal source. 

If the USGS Ethics Office did NOT approve a DI-2000 prior to your travel or a new non-Federal source offers to provide travel expenses, then you may only accept the following:

• the types of travel expenses that are authorized by your travel authorization ( i.e.,  meals, lodging, transportation, but not recreation or other personal expenses); and
• travel expenses that are within the maximum allowances stated on your travel authorization ( e.g. , if your travel authorization states that you are authorized to incur lodging expenses up to $100 per night, you may not accept payment from the non-Federal source for a $200 per night hotel room).

In such situations, travelers should submit a new DI-2000 for approval as soon as possible but no later than 7 working days after returning from their trip. 

If the USGS declines to accept the payment from the non-Federal source, the USGS must either reimburse the non-Federal source the value of the benefit provided or require the traveler to reimburse the non-Federal source.  41 C.F.R. Section 304-3.13 .

If a traveler accepts payment or travel benefits in violation of the regulations, the USGS Ethics Office may require the traveler to pay the General Fund of the Treasury an amount equal to any payment or benefit accepted.  31 U.S. Code Section 1353 .  Where the USGS requires reimbursement to the Treasury, the USGS must deny the traveler any reimbursement for the travel expenses the payment was intended to cover.

31 U.S. Code Section 1353/ DI-2000 summary:

FAQs: To review common questions and answers related to the DI-2000 , please click here .

After reading the information above and the DI-2000 FAQs, I still have a question about the DI-2000; what should I do?

Please email the USGS Ethics Office at [email protected]   Put DI-2000 in the subject line and if the matter is urgent put URGENT in the subject line.  In the email, please include the traveler’s name, dates of travel, location of travel and reason for travel.  More information is always helpful.

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Acceptance of Non-Federal Travel Assistance

February 2004

Definitions:

Official means activity is conducted on Federal time or as a representative of the Federal government.

Personal means activity is conducted on employee’s own time as his/her own representative.

Prohibited source means a non-Federal entity that: is seeking official action by USDA; does business or seeks to do business with USDA; conducts activities regulated by USDA; seeks to influence USDA’s policies or regulations; has interests that may be significantly affected by the employee’s USDA duties; or is an organization a majority of whose members are described above.

1 Employees and Ethics Advisors must also consider whether other conflicts of interest or other Standards of Ethical Conduct issues such as misuse of non-public information may be involved.

2 Employees may accept additional travel assistance while in travel status when it is offered from the same source if:

• the assistance offered is comparable in value to that offered to or purchased by other attendees, and
• the agency didn't decline such assistance in advance of the employee's travel.

Employees in travel status may also accept assistance from a source not authorized by their agency prior to travel when the value of the assistance is within the maximum allowance stated on their travel authorization. Such assistance is limited to meals, lodging, and transportation only, and the traveler must request agency authorization for acceptance within 7 working days after the trip ends. Warning: If the Agency does not authorize acceptance, it could require the traveler to reimburse the non-Federal source.

3 This authority may not be applied to meetings and similar off-site events as defined in 42 CFR 304-1. Questions of an ethical nature should be referred to the Office of Ethics. Questions of a legal nature should be referred to the Office of the General Counsel.

4 Acceptance of gifts to the agency are not prohibited if:

• The gift is from a State, local, tribal or foreign government incidental to cooperation in carrying out a Federal program;
• The gift is authorized by the express purpose of a statutory gift acceptance authority; or
• Acceptance of the gift is in the public interest because the benefits relating to the acceptance or rejection of the gift substantially outweigh the appearance of loss of impartiality on the part of USDA in its dealings with the donor.

5 This is based upon Office of Government Ethics guidance in light of Sanjour v. Environmental Protection Agency .

6 The prior approval requirement is based on the guidelines within the Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Agriculture.

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Description

This was a live training that was recorded.  The Panel consisted of: Jeremiah Strack, Office of the General Counsel, GSA; Jill Denning, Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA; and Cheryl Kane-Piasecki, Office of Government Ethics.

Discussion included an overview of 31 US 1353 travel, focusing on the 2019 changes to the regulation and addressing questions submitted in advance from the federal ethics community.

1 PEP Credit.                                                                                                                                            Training Evaluation                                                                                                                                                       

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How to get to Suzdal from Moscow

If you are ever in Moscow, you should look at The Golden Ring , a ring of towns and cities north east of Moscow which played an important part in the formation of Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. The towns themselves are almost like museums and none more so than the jewel of the Golden Ring, Suzdal . You have to visit this town if you are in Moscow and I will tell you exactly how to get to Suzdal from Moscow.

You can do this in a return day trip to Moscow, just, but I recommend staying the night in Suzdal. That will give you the afternoon on the 1st day and the morning and early afternoon on the 2nd day to explore which should be enough time. You can get a bus from Moscow to Suzdal. However, there is only one bus a day and it is not very comfortable. A better option is to get a train to the nearby city of Vladimir and from there get a bus to Suzdal. There are multiple trains every day from Moscow and buses are almost every 30 minutes so you will not have to wait long in Vladimir.

Getting the train to Vladimir

Go to the state run website for Russian railways . In the departure station, click (or type) ‘MOSKVA’, in the arrival station type ‘VLADIMIR”, select your departure date (and return if you will go back to Moscow the next day) and click on the buy ticket button. You will have multiple trains to choose from. The fastest trains do the journey in about 1 hour 45 minutes. Be sure to check which of the Moscow train stations your train will depart from. More than likely this will be Mockva Kurskaia. Whichever station it is, you can get there very easily by using the metro .

How to get to Suzdal from Moscow? By train of course

Looking out train window

Getting Bus from Vladimir to Suzdal

When you arrive at the train station, follow everyone else that is leaving the train station. When you get outside, if you look across the street, you will see the bus station. The facilities in the bus and train station are pretty basic. the train station is a little better so if you want a coffee or something to eat, I would get it there.

In the bus station go to the ticket office and get a single ticket to Suzdal. Something like “odin billet Suzdal” should be enough to be understood. The ticket costs 98.50 rubles so its easier to have a 100 ruble note to get change from.

At the exit of the train station, the bus station is directly across the road

Bus timetables

And more timetables

My ticket to Suzdal is bus number 159, platform 10 at 12:00 and seat number 6.

Bus ticket to Sudal

When you have your ticket, go outside to the platform listed on the ticket and wait for the bus. Simple really!

Not the actual bus in the end. The bus was more of a minivan.

Staying the night in Suzdal

There are a lot of accommodation options available in Suzdal. The place i stayed is Suzdal Hotel . It is actually a house and they have a few rooms available. The breakfast that is included is very very good. Trust me on this. They will even collect you from the bus station in Suzdal and bring you back the next day.

View out my bedroom window

Returning to Vladimir (and Moscow)

To return to Vladimir, just repeat these steps in the opposite direction – return to the bus station in Suzdal, buy a ticket to Vladimir and continue your onward journey in Russia. Simples! 😉

Train to Nizhny Novgorod

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22 comments.

Melissa Butler

I went to Suzdal over 13years ago for Christmas, I was on an on the go tour and they organised the train for us which was a very interesting journey. I would love to go back and explore longer. I am definitely impressed that you have done it on your own and it sounds like you had a bit of an adventure :).

Hi Melissa, it certainly was an adventure that’s for sure! Though sometimes, there is something to be said for letting other people take care of things for you and getting to relax and not be too stressed.

Sandy N Vyjay

Moscow is a place with an intriguing and enigmatic history. Suzdal seems to be a charming place with a rich heritage. As you have mentioned it seems to be a living museum of sorts. Nice step by step instruction on getting to Suzdal from Moscow. This is indeed an invaluable resource for first-time travelers to Russia.

Thank you very much for your kind words. I hope some people find it useful!

Thanks for recommending the Suzdal Hotel, since I prefer to stay in small cozy places with good breakfast. And the service of taking the guests from and to the bus station in Suzdal is a great plus!

Yeah I agree. I would rather stay in a family type place than a bigger place too!

I have never heard of this town and it sounds like a great place to visit if you are already in Moscow. Your instructions are very helpful and I like how you put a photo of the ticket.

You’re welcome Candy. If you don’t speak the language, Russia can be difficult to get around.

Michael Hodgson

Fantastic detail and extremely useful post for anyone wanting to explore outside of Moscow. Suzdal does sound fascinating.

Thanks Michael!

This seems like quite an experience! I am surprised that I haven’t heard of Suzdal before but as soon as I go to Moscow, I will have to do a day trip to there. Is a day trip enough to explore Suzdal?

Hey Lydia, you certainly can! If you go early enough in the day to Vladimir, you can probably get 6-7 hours in Suzdal.

This is a great post with quite a few good details. Pics looks so amazing. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed!

Wow, you are adventurous! I spent years upon years in Russia and never made it to Suzdal. Never realized Vladimir was less than 2 hrs away from Moscow.

Thanks Jenia. Russia is a huge place. You could live there your entire life and not see it all!

Thanks for the instructions. If I ever want to visit Suzdal I now know how to get there from Moscow via Vladimir.

You’re welcome!

Lauren Pears

Suzdal sounds really lovely! I need to travel to more places where there will be snow rather than just constantly chasing the sun 😉

I know what you mean! After 4 months of winter in Russia though, I was craving the sun so much!

I had never heard of Suzdal until now. Thank you for introducing me to a new place. It looks so calm and quiet under the snow. What are some things to do in Suzdal?

I think it is the sort of place you go to get away from the craziness of big cities and have some slower, quiet time. If my memory is correct, they also have a cucumber festival once a year every July. Apparently the cucumbers of the area are very good!

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Is Moscow Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded its neighbor country Ukraine, starting a war between these two countries.

This act of invasion caused many Ukrainians to flee their country and seek shelter in places like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, etc…

At this time, we recommend no travel to Russia or Ukraine, or any neighboring countries for your own safety.

Russia : Safety by City

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Moscow, the capital of Russia, is a political, scientific, historical, architectural and business center of this huge country.

It’s one of the most visited places in Russia, and for good reason.

The best-known parts of Russia are concentrated precisely in the urban areas and cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Moscow’s history attracts the most tourists, as they are fascinated by it is a surreal and sometimes brutal but nevertheless thrilling and jaw-dropping national story.

In this city, visited by 17 million tourists annually, the history, told in its numerous museums, some of which are the world’s greatest, interacts with modernity.

For example, in the Garden of Fallen Monuments (Fallen Monument Park), you can see entire clusters of modern art contrasting with the very non-conceptual Communist monuments.

• Warnings & Dangers in Moscow

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Generally speaking, Moscow today is safe as much as other cities in Europe, despite its problematic history with criminal activity in the 90s. However, if you’re planning on traveling to Moscow, keep in mind that you should always keep your guard up and remain aware of your surroundings, just in case.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Generally speaking, transportation in Moscow is safe, but you should bear in mind that kidnappings have been known to happen, mostly in unlicensed taxis, so be careful when hailing one on the streets. Keep in mind that the most dangerous areas where small crime tends to occur are the underground walkways, called “perekhods”. Only use official services like Yandex Taxi, Uber or Gett taxi.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpocketing is very common in Moscow, and surprisingly it is mostly performed by groups of children. Pay attention to your belongings, don’t leave them in plain sight and be especially careful in crowded places like stations or near tourist attractions.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Moscow isn’t particularly susceptible to natural disasters. Some blizzards and snowstorms are possible during winter which can affect the traffic and delay your flights. During winter, be prepared to face the below-freezing temperatures.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The situation improved drastically when it comes to kidnappings and muggings. Generally, never accept free drinks or food when you’re in a club or a bar. Drink spiking and then attacking and robbing the victim have been reported on numerous occasions.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

After the recent terrorist attack in the subway in St. Petersburg the probability of this situation happening again in Moscow is very high.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

There are many scams in Moscow, usually performed by children trying to distract you and then steal some money from you. Never talk to strange kids on the street. Also, you should avoid playing street gambling games.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women are generally safe in Moscow, though you should avoid finding yourself alone in clubs or bars, and of course, apply all normal precaution measures like avoiding remote and poorly lit streets and areas.

• So... How Safe Is Moscow Really?

Moscow experienced a rise when it came to crime rates during the 1990s.

Violent crime, as well as petty crime and scams,  had increased, but the biggest part of the violence was within the criminal groups themselves, and it didn’t affect foreigners that much.

However, it decreased since the 90s, so right now, for tourists, Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, it’s even less so.

The crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.

Also, you can count on the officials to be uncorrupted – don’t ever try to bribe them: you will be charged with bribery.

Bear in mind that if you are a member of the LGBT community, there is no reason to avoid Moscow altogether but you should refrain from any public displays of affection.

As of June 2013, “homosexual propaganda to minors” is prohibited, which means that any discussion of gay rights or homosexuality issues in the presence of minors is punishable by law.

While you walk around Moscow, you might encounter police officials that may demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within 7 business days of your arrival into Moscow.

You shouldn’t have any problems with this, because if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper.

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Most countries do need a visa to enter Russia, and if you’re a U.S. citizen you must possess both a valid U.S. passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. None of the nationals that do need a visa can acquire one upon arrival, so make sure you apply for your visa in advance. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

The Russian ruble is the official currency in Moscow. ATMs are widespread throughout the country and credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Moscow has a highly continental influenced climate characterized by warm to hot and dry summers and extremely cold, freezing winters with temperatures as low as -30°C – sometimes even lower, with heavy snowfall.

Sheremetyevo International Airport is the Russian busiest international airport. It is located in Molzhaninovsky District, Northern Administrative Okrug, in Moscow, about 29 km northwest of central Moscow.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Moscow, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Moscow Weather Averages (Temperatures)

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Russia - Safety by City

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9 Reviews on Moscow

That's just not true.

The person who wrote the text obviously have never been in Moscow and in Russia at all. This is ridiculous. Even about pickpocketing, the risk at most is medium, mugging is zero in historical places but is pretty high in sleeping quarters

Your rating is only two stars for safety though? So I am confused. Are you rating the article to be in poor taste?

I went to Moscow in 2021. I enjoyed the trip. I felt there were “unsafe areas” so I avoided them. So long as you know where you are going and don’t insult the locals, you should be fine.

51% safe?! Is this out of date?

Moscow and Russia in general are MUCH SAFER than Paris or London, yet those latter are more than 15 points ahead?!

Hell, it’s even admitted in the above text: “Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, IT’S EVEN LESS SO.” Yeah, you bet! And then: “the crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.” So why the low rating? I don’t get it.

Also, the latest terrorist attack in Moscow happened in 2010… so how can you honestly say that the risk is still “high”? Especially for the fact Russia is very much on the edge when it comes to fighting terrorism domestically and over the world.

Sure, it might not be ideal everywhere in Moscow, but it’s WAY SAFER than in Paris, especially at night. You just can’t go out in Paris after the evening anymore, in most areas (I got assaulted for no reason at Châtelet-les-Halles and taking the RER train at dark is becoming more and more risky)… while in Moscow, chances are that you’ll see girls in miniskirts walking home while quietly singing. Or maybe you’ll stumble upon some gorgeous lady asking you for a lighter and then giving you her number for a coffee the next day. So very dangerous!

I sense a serious bias, here. Is it because of that LGBT thing? Could you pick a more extreme case? Yeah, you can totally be gay in Russia, just be so in private. There even are transsexuals, but this is a traditional and respectable country, so you should respect their choice of not publicizing various sexual lifestyles.

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are safe

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are very safe in my opinion! I’ve been to both cities visiting family! There are so many people out on the streets and on public transportation- I felt very safe! You need to change your ratings!!

Any update on Covid-19 to visit Moscow

I visited 118 country and Moscow one of the safest city I have been, st Petersburg as well, I read this article hoping to find any update on covid-19 restrictions upon arrival, so if anyone can update I’m planning to visit Moscow again but I need to know if quarentain is required or mandatory, anyone can share, cheers.

In Russia nobody cares, masks off. I dont know if fiew thousands of infected per day are high for you though. I was never arrested for not wearing mask, but you have to have it on you. Sometimes cops ask to put mask, you just do that and everything ok, some shops can refuse to do service if you dont have mask. I assume they pressured by boss, so just put on mask, they can give you gloves and dont cause any problems.

Written by someone who never visited Russia

A veer biased review. Moscow or St. Petersburg for being such brilliant truly cosmopolitan cities are extremely safe. Pickpocketing in Russia?! By children?! Who wrote this? Clearly by someone who has never been to the great country of Russia.

Have never been there. But wish me well

Bias review, Moscow is much safer than that!

This review is so bias and just wrong! First of all apart from being a political, scientific and etc center, it is an absolutely beautiful city and a very culturally rich city. For tourists there’s a huge range of delicious food, amazing shopping, a lot of cultural activities, and all sorts of entertainment. I’ve travelled there in December 2019, and most of the time I spent walking around and exploring by myself, be it during day time or night, nothing happened to me once. I mostly used subways and sometimes taxi, both safe. Just have a common sense when it comes to safety and you’ll be fine. You need to travel there at least once in a lifetime, it’s a completely different experience and it’s a beautiful one, NOT a communistic terrorist epicenter as some describe it to be.

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Article Contents

• Moscow : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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Section of highway Moscow – St. Petersburg will become paid from July 1

Starting from the 1st of July 2015, the section of the course M-11 Moscow – St. Petersburg will become paid. This decree was prepared by the Ministry of Transport and signed by the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The payment will be collected for the section from 15th to 58th km during the period of next 99 years.

At the moment the exact fare is unknown, it will be announced by the site operator later. It is expected that travel from Moscow to Sheremetyevo Airport will cost about 100 rubles for passenger cars and the whole travel from end to end will cost 300 rubles. Herewith, the part of the track near Moscow will be the most expensive section of the road with the fare about five rubles per kilometer, while the fare on the site by the St. Petersburg will be two rubles and thirty cents.

It is noted that money received as payment for travel will be spent on repairs and maintenance of the road.

Due to the opening of the course M-11, the highway from Moscow to Sheremetyevo Airport was reduced to 20 minutes on the 28th kilometer.

The construction of the road began in 2011; the completion of construction is planned in 2018. The part which will become paid from July 1 was opened in December 2014 and worked free of charge in a test mode for six months.

For drivers who prefer to use free highways are available alternative free routes.

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NATO Will Offer Ukraine a ‘Bridge’ to Membership, Hoping That’s Enough

Officials say Kyiv won’t get membership negotiations at the coming NATO summit, but the alliance will announce a structure to coordinate aid over the longer term.

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By Steven Erlanger

Steven Erlanger, who has covered NATO for many years, reported from Berlin.

NATO will offer Ukraine a new headquarters to manage its military assistance at its upcoming 75th anniversary summit in Washington, officials said, an assurance of the alliance’s long-term commitment to the country’s security that has been heralded as a “bridge” to Kyiv’s eventual membership.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine — along with some Central European nations — had fervently hoped his country would be offered membership negotiations by NATO at the summit, which runs from July 9 to 11.

Instead, the alliance will announce that it has agreed to set up a mission in Germany to coordinate aid of all kinds to Ukraine over the longer term, American and NATO officials said. The move is intended to send a strong signal of allied commitment, both to Kyiv and to Moscow, which hopes the West will grow tired of supporting the war.

Because the mission will be under NATO’s auspices, it is designed to function even if Donald J. Trump, a sharp critic of the alliance and of aid to Ukraine, wins the U.S. presidency in November.

The Biden administration and NATO officials came up with the idea as a way to give something solid to Kyiv at the summit even as they maintain the time is not right for Ukraine to join.

It is not just that the country is still at war, which could make NATO an active participant in the fighting. President Biden and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany have said that Ukraine must make important reforms to reduce corruption and improve its democracy and rule of law.

The hope is that the mission and the commitment it represents will satisfy Mr. Zelensky and lead to a smoother summit than the last one, a year ago in Vilnius, Lithuania , where he made his unhappiness clear when Ukraine was not offered a firm timeline for membership negotiations.

The new mission will bring under one umbrella the activities of the current “capabilities coalition” of countries that provide various aspects of military aid to Ukraine, like air defenses, artillery, F-16 fighter jets, arms and training.

It will also coordinate training of Ukrainian military personnel in allied countries and the longer-term bilateral security agreements that different countries have signed with Ukraine, according to the United States and NATO officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because details of the plan have not yet been announced.

But NATO countries are all on board with establishing the mission, the officials said, and it will be announced at the summit meeting.

Previously, aid for Ukraine has been given mostly on a country-by-country basis, with less concern over its efficiency or even for Kyiv’s most pressing needs. Gathering the essential strands of aid and training under one command is aimed at streamlining the flow and making it more coherent, officials briefed on the plan said.

Called the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, or NSATU, the mission will work to reduce duplications and complications from the various kinds of weaponry sent to Ukraine.

One example, U.S. and NATO officials said, is the recent French offer to donate an unspecified number of Mirage fighter jets when Ukraine is already struggling to train pilots and put F-16s in the air. The Mirage, a similarly sophisticated plane, requires different training, parts and maintenance that may strain Ukrainian capabilities.

The mission will be based at a U.S. military facility in Wiesbaden, Germany, and headed by a three-star general — likely an American — reporting directly to the top NATO and American general in Europe, Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli.

Placing the mission under General Cavoli’s NATO hat will protect it from any political change in Washington, said Ivo Daalder, a former American ambassador to NATO who has been briefed on the plan.

The new mission will also incorporate an existing United States group stationed in Wiesbaden to handle weapons shipments and personnel training.

And it will run parallel to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which is under American leadership and coordinates weapons deliveries by about 50 countries to Ukraine, well beyond NATO’s own 32 member states. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, who set up the contact group, insisted that it remain for now under American chairmanship, the officials said.

The group will not officially be called a “mission” because of objections from Germany, which wanted to avoid the implication that it and NATO were at war with Russia, Mr. Daalder said, even though Russia already spins its invasion of Ukraine as a war of “self-defense” against an ever-expanding and hostile NATO.

“It’s an effort at Trump-proofing and a deliberate effort to bring Ukraine and NATO closer together to support Ukraine today as well as into the future,” Mr. Daalder said.

The Biden administration has not commented publicly on the details of the plan. But Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, said that the summit would show that allies are taking “concrete steps” to bring Ukraine closer and to ensure it has a “bridge to eventual membership.” At the NATO summit last year, the alliance also refused to offer Ukraine a fixed timeline and clear path to membership or to allow negotiations on membership to begin. Mr. Zelensky was displeased, but the alliance’s overall position will not change at this summit.

NATO’s unwillingness to open accession negotiations with Ukraine or provide a fixed timeline for doing so is in contrast with the European Union, which on Tuesday opened accession negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova.

Those negotiations are expected to take several years, but they mark an important and symbolic moment for both countries — Ukraine, enduring a Russian invasion, and Moldova, which fears it could be next.

Jens Stoltenberg, the outgoing NATO secretary general, spoke vaguely of the plan for the new mission after a meeting of alliance defense ministers on June 14. He told a news conference it would be announced at the Washington summit and would “put our support to Ukraine on a firmer footing for years to come.”

Calling the new mission “a key summit deliverable” and a further step “on Ukraine’s path to NATO membership,” he emphasized that “these efforts do not make NATO a party to the conflict, but they will enhance our support to Ukraine to uphold its right to self-defense.”

Steven Erlanger is the chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe and is based in Berlin. He has reported from over 120 countries, including Thailand, France, Israel, Germany and the former Soviet Union. More about Steven Erlanger