Corker, Senate Republicans Introduce Strategic U.S. Response to Deter Russian Aggression in Europe
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker
(R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
today introduced legislation with 22 Senate Republicans providing a
strategic U.S. response to deter Russian aggression in Europe, which
threatens regional security and prosperity that is critical for
maintaining economic growth in the United States.
“Rather than react to events as they unfold, which has been the
policy of this administration, we need to inflict more direct
consequences on Russia prior to Vladimir Putin taking additional steps
that will be very difficult to undo,” said Corker. “Our legislation
takes a three-prong approach to prevent the situation from becoming far
worse. This bill will strengthen NATO, impose tough sanctions to deter
Russia and support non-NATO allies of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.”
The Russian Aggression Prevention Act of 2014 is cosponsored by Mitch
McConnell (R-Ky.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.),
John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John
McCain (R-Ariz.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mark
Kirk (R-Ill.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Dan Coats
(R-Ind.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Jim Inhofe
(R-Okla.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), John Thune
(R-.S.D.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), and Richard Burr
(R-N.C.).
Key provisions of the Russian Aggression Prevention Act are included
below. Legislative text and a section-by-section bill summary are
available below.
Strengthen NATO
- Increases 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.
- Requires the president to accelerate implementation of missile
defense in Europe and provide other missile defense support for our NATO
allies.
Deter Russian aggression
- Places 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, and broadens and solidifies the
sanctions already imposed by the administration.
- Imposes immediate new sanctions tied to the destabilization of
eastern Ukraine 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.
- If Russian armed forces cross further into, or Russia further
annexes, the sovereign territory of Ukraine or any other country, even
tougher sanctions would (1) cut all senior Russian officials, their
companies, and their supporters off from the world’s financial system;
(2) 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; (3) and cut Russian banks
off from the U.S. banking system.
Harden our non-NATO allies
- Authorizes the president to 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.
- 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.
- Impose 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.
- Provides Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia with major non-NATO ally
status to facilitate their access to military equipment and expands 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.
My Comment: This is the correct response. Instead of the kid glove timid response of the Obama administration, we should impose real sanctions on Russia and support NATO and those threatened with Russian aggression. We should arm Ukraine. Obama's weak response will encourage further aggression.
As I am looking ahead to the next Presidential election I notice the absence of the names of Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, or Mike Lee as co-sponsors on this list. I am disappointed that few of the rising stars in the Republican Party have joined in supporting this resolution. America still has an important roll to play in the world and the world is still a dangerous place. I will not be supporting anyone for President who thinks the Obama response to Russian aggression has been adequate.
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