US sanctions draft seeks to designate Russia as State 'Sponsor of Terrorism'
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New sanctions bill proposed Republican Jim Banks to impose sanctions on Russia, in the event of an "invasion" or "escalation" of Russian actions against Ukraine.
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US Capitol, Washington (AP photo)
According to a draft bill published by The Washington Post, a fresh batch of US sanctions submitted by US Republican House representative Jim Banks intends to declare Russia a sponsor supporter of "terrorism" and "Russian-backed" forces in Donbas as terrorists.
The document said, "Designation of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism and designation of the Russian-supported armed forces in the Donbas region of Ukraine as foreign terrorist organizations. (a) designation of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism."
Measures Against Nord Stream 2: Bill
The proposed draft also includes actions against Nord Stream 2 as well as organizations associated with the project.
The document said, "Not later than 10 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose sanctions under subsection (b)(1) with respect to (1) any entity responsible for planning, construction, maintenance, technical assistance, engineering assistance, financing or operation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline or a successor entity."
Cutting Funding for Cyber Dialogue With Russia: Bill
According to the new sanctions bill, US congressmen led by Republican Jim Banks seek to restrict money for cybersecurity conversation with Russia unless claimed attacks on American firms stop.
"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds may be obligated or expended on a cyber dialogue with the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that cyber attacks from Russian entities and individuals against the United States have ceased," the document stated.
Cutting Funding for Strategic Stability Talks With Russia: Bill
According to the published bill, new US sanctions proposed by Republican Jim Banks include financial restrictions on strategic stability discussions with Russia until the latter ends its "occupation" of Crimea.
The bill stated, "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds may be obligated or expended on arms control negotiations or on Strategic Stability dialogue with the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Russian Federation has completely, fully, and verifiably withdrawn all forces, including proxy forces, from Ukraine and has reversed its illegal annexation of Crimea."
Banning Transactions With Russia's Sovereign Debt: Bill
The draft also suggested banning transactions with Russia's sovereign debt. It says, "Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall issue regulations to prohibit United States persons from purchasing, selling, or otherwise dealing in Russian sovereign debt that is issued or executed on or after the date that is 60 days after such date of enactment."
Sanctions on Peskov, Mishustin, Sobyanin: Bill
According to a bill obtained by The Washington Post, US congressmen led by Republican Jim Banks are pursuing sanctions against Russian officials including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin.
It also proposed sanctions against Alexander Bortnikov, the Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Alexander Bastrykin, the Director of the Federal Penitentiary Service, Alexander Kalashnikov, the Director of the National Guard, Victor Zolotov, and Sergei Kiriyenko, the Presidential Executive Office's first deputy chief of staff.
Personality in the media The document also names Vladimir Solovyev and Konstantin Ernst, the CEO of Channel One TV, are to be subject to sanctions aswell.
In addition, the document proposes sanctions against businessmen Roman Abramovich, Alisher Usmanov, Gennady Timchenko, Oleg Deripaska, and Igor Sechin, Chairman of Rosneft's Management Board, Alexei Miller, Chairman of Gazprom's Management Committee, and Andrey Kostin, President and Chairman of the Management Board of VTB Bank.
Russian Duma: Possible new US sanctions against Russia to be met with mirror response
According to Dmitry Belik, a member of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Washington's new proposed sanctions against Moscow will be met with a retaliatory response, and Russia reserves the right to cut ties with countries that apply similar measures.
Belik commented, "The response, no doubt, will be similar: we reserve the right to break off diplomatic relations with all countries that join in imposing this sanctions package."
Background of the events
Russia is facing US-European allegations of a military buildup on its shared borders with Ukraine, and the two sides to the row held talks in Geneva to sort out their differences.
NATO and the US were "reluctant" when it came to promising that Ukraine would not become party to the alliance, as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Russia has been demanding a written commitment that Ukraine would never be able to join NATO and that the alliance would not place any military equipment in certain countries in the region surrounding Russia.
The Kremlin sees that it is best for Russian security that the alliance does not expand eastward and that Russia does not have any Western military activity in its vicinity.
