18 September 2014
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote on Sept. 18 on legislation submitted by its chairman, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, and U.S. Senator Bob Corker that imposes a new round of sanctions on Russia’s defense, energy and financial sectors, as well as increases military and non-military assistance for Ukraine. The committee will consider the legislation after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addresses a joint meeting of Congress.
“President Putin has upended the international order and a slap on the wrist will not deter future Russian provocations,” Menendez said. “In the face of Russian aggression, Ukraine needs our steadfast and determined support, not an ambiguous response. We are left with no choice but to apply tough sanctions against Russia, coupled with military assistance to Ukraine.” The military assistance consists of defense articles and services and training to the Ukrainian government.
The weapons mentioned by the bill include anti-tank and anti-armor weapons; crew weapons and ammunition; counter-artillery radars to identify and target artillery batteries; fire control, range finder, and optical and guidance and control equipment; tactical troop-operated surveillance drones, and secure command and communications equipment. The draft legislation authorizes $350 million in assistance to Ukraine in fiscal year 2015.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved on Sept. 17 a resolution declaring support for Ukraine in its attempt to determine its relations with other countries and international organizations without the interference, intimidation or compulsion from other nations It calls for the White House and American allies to offer Ukraine military equipment and reconnaissance.
Zenon Zawada: Ukraine’s military weakness and unpreparedness opened the door to the Russian occupation of its territory. Therefore, the only rational response in defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity is to enhance its defense capacity. We’ve maintained the position that Russia will escalate the conflict sooner or later, regardless of Western support for Ukraine. In which case, the Ukrainian government might as well take all the help it can get.