U.S. Senate approves Ukraine bill with Russia sanctions, Obama opposed

The U.S. Senate approved on Dec. 11 The Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014, which grants major non-NATO ally status to Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. It provides USD 500 mln for “counteracting Russian aggression in Eurasia,” USD 175 mln in military aid to Ukraine and the Baltic states, USD 140 mln in economic aid, and USD 122 mln to conduct reforms in Ukraine’s Armed Forces and strengthen defense, MP Semen Semenchenko reported on his Facebook page.

The bill also provides aid to Donbas war refugees, reduces Ukraine’s dependence on Russian natural gas and provides for new sanctions against the Russian state enterprises and businessmen. The measure was introduced by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Bob Corker and needs to be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, which could happen this weekend, said Voice of America journalist Myroslava Gongadze, as reported by the Ukrayinska Pravda news site.

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Dec. 11 that it would be counterproductive to impose new sanctions against the Russian Federation that exceed European measures, as reported by the Voice of America news agency. It would be a strategic victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the U.S. and European policies on sanctions to drift apart, “and I intend to prevent that,” Obama said.

It’s necessary to take into account the consequences of such sanctions for Europe, which would serve as a measure of how the U.S. applies them, and to demonstrate patience, being guided by the approved strategy, Obama said. “If they see there are no cracks in this coalition, then with time they will realize that the damage to their economy will outweigh any strategic advantages that they can gain,” he said.

Zenon Zawada: There is a foreign policy rift between the Republican-dominated Senate, which is more hawkish, and the White House. Recall that Obama rejected Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s request in September for major non-NATO ally status. This rift will only widen when the new Senate begins working in January. We expect Obama will veto such legislation if it reaches his desk.

The Russian government is working hard to undermine unity in the West, having launched a tight alliance with the conservative National Front party, which has become a leading political force in France. This alliance includes loans from Moscow-based banks. Reports have also surfaced of the Kremlin’s alliances with other European right wing and populist parties.

We agree with Obama’s position that U.S.-EU unity is important, but we don’t agree with the logic that Putin will make a rational, calculated assessment of the situation and back down. His invasion of Crimea and subsequent military actions in Ukraine were irrational to begin with, so it’s not reasonable to expect he will switch to a new line of thinking.

We share the view that a renewed Cold War emerged this year between the West and Russia. We see the potential for destructive consequences in the next several years, economically, diplomatically and militarily. Ukraine will serve as the key battleground in what we expect to be a protracted conflict that drains both Ukraine and Russia of their wealth, energy and resources.