U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said House passage Tuesday of the Senate Ukraine bill that he co-authored “allows Congress to speak with one voice in support of the Ukrainian people and against Russian aggression.” The legislation now goes to the president to be signed into law.
“Passage of this bill allows Congress to speak with one voice in support of the Ukrainian people and against Russian aggression,” said Senator Corker. “Along with our European partners, the U.S. must demonstrate long-term resolve to deter any further Russian intervention in Ukraine and the region, including imposing additional economic sanctions that will exact real costs for Putin’s actions in Crimea.”
The bill, which passed the Senate last Thursday by a 98-2 vote, includes the following provisions:
Loan guarantees: Authorizes the State Department to provide funds for the purpose of loan guarantees for Ukraine.
Asset recovery from corrupt Ukrainian officials: Requires the State Department and Justice Department to assist the Ukrainian government in the recovery of assets amassed by corruption Ukrainian officials, including former President Viktor Yanukovych.
Democracy and governance assistance: Authorizes $50 million for the purpose of technical, democracy, and civil society assistance for Ukraine and other Eastern Partnership countries.
Enhanced security cooperation with Ukraine and Europe: Directs the president and authorizes up to $100 million over FY 2015-2017 to provide security assistance for Ukraine and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
Sanctions for threats to Ukraine: Imposes mandatory sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, against persons determined to have engaged in violence or serious human rights abuses in Ukraine, activities undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including economic extortion, and on Russian officials and their associates that are responsible for or involved in significant corruption in Ukraine. Also provides for the imposition of additional sanctions on Russian officials and their associates that are responsible for or involved in significant corruption in Russia.