WASHINGTON – With NATO reporting Russian weaponry continues to flow into Ukraine after the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the U.S. must take “decisive action with or without Europe” to expand existing sanctions against significant Russian entities in key sectors of the Russian economy.
“Since the Malaysia Airlines tragedy, Russia continues to send weapons into Ukraine and build up troops on the border so the U.S. must take decisive action now with or without Europe,” said Corker.
“The European Union has the power to play an influential role in addressing this crisis, and it is disappointing they have been unwilling to do so. Unless the West imposes greater costs on Putin, Russia will continue its destructive acts in the region.”
In April, Senator Corker introduced legislation as a strategic response to Russian aggression in Europe. Specifically the bill would strengthen the NATO alliance, impose a series of tough sanctions for specific Russian actions, including against Rosneft, Novatek, Gazprombank and VEB, and authorize defensive military assistance and support for non-NATO allies of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
Russian Aggression Prevention Act of 2014
Background and Key Details
Background: The situation in eastern Ukraine has deteriorated in recent days. Pro-Russian separatists seized additional administrative buildings and a police station. The mayor of Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, was shot, and violence has increased throughout the region. Eight monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe were taken hostage by separatists and seven of them are still being held.
Despite its commitments, Russia has not implemented the Geneva Agreement and refuses to call on the separatists to disarm and vacate occupied buildings.
U.S. Response: The United States’ response thus far has been reactive and has failed to impose the type of cost that will change Vladimir Putin’s calculus. Absent a forceful and strategic response, Putin will continue to destabilize Ukraine.
This legislation seeks to change that dynamic by providing a comprehensive strategy that strengthens theNATO alliance, deters Russian aggression by imposing tougher sanctions, and supports our non-NATO partners in Europe and Eurasia. In particular, the legislation provides Ukraine with direct military assistance, including anti-tankand anti-aircraft weapons, as appropriate.
Support for NATO: The legislation requires the President to increase substantially U.S. and NATO support for the armed forces of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, as well as other countries determined appropriate by the President. It also requires the President to accelerate implementation of missile defense in Europe and provide other missile defense support for our NATO allies.
Sanctions: The legislation imposes immediate, tough sanctions based on Russian actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, and requires further broad sectoral sanctions and new sanctions targeting the assets of key Russian leaders in the event of further Russian aggression.
First, it puts in place immediate new sanctions on any Russian officials and agents involved in the illegal occupation of Crimea, as well as on corrupt Russian officials and their supporters. It also broadens and solidifies the sanctions already imposed by the Administration. Immediate new sanctions tied to the destabilization of eastern Ukraine also are imposed on four key Russian banks: Sberbank, VTB Bank, VEB Bank, Gazprombank, as well as on the Gazprom, Novatek, Rosneft energy monopolies, and Rosoboronexport, the major Russian arms dealer.
Second, if Russian armed forces cross further into, or Russia further annexes, the sovereign territory of Ukraine or any other country, the legislation imposes even tougher sanctions. These sanctions would cut all senior Russian officials, their companies, and their supporters off from the world’s financial system. In addition, tough sanctions would target any Russian entities owned by the Russian government or sanctioned individuals across the arms, defense, energy, financial services, metals, or mining sectors in Russia. Additional sanctions also would cut Russian banks off from the U.S. banking system.
Military Aid to Ukraine: The legislation authorizes the President provide $100 million worth of direct military assistance to Ukraine, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and small arms, based on a needs and capabilities assessment of the Ukrainian armed forces. It also encourages the sharing of intelligence with Ukraine.
Energy Independence: The legislation provides authority for exports of U.S. natural gas to all WTO members, including key countries in Europe, and provides support to encourage the U.S. private sector to invest in energy projects in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.
Additional Provisions: The legislation imposes significant diplomatic measures on Russia, limits Russia’s access to advanced U.S. oil and gas technologies, provides support for Russian civil society, and focuses U.S. attention on corruption in Russia, potential treaty violations, and other strategically important matters. It would provide Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia with major non-NATO ally status to facilitate their access to military equipment, and expand
U.S. and NATO military exercises and training with key non-NATO states. It also prohibits U.S. recognition of the annexation of Crimea and provides support for civil society activities in former Soviet countries, as well as expands U.S. government counter-propaganda efforts in such countries.
For a section-by-section bill summary, click here.
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