The US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee approved three key bills targeting Russia on Wednesday. Despite bipartisan support, the future of these bills remains uncertain due to the position of the Donald Trump administration.
Members of both parties on the committee unanimously supported three initiatives related to the war in Ukraine. The first project involves including Russia on the list of countries supporting terrorismif it does not take action within 90 days to enable the return of approximately 20,000 people. Ukrainian children to their families.
Currently, only North Korea, Iran, Syria and Cuba are on this list, and such an entry automatically means the imposition of additional sanctions.
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The second project concerns the confiscation of USD 5 billion. frozen Russian assets. These funds would be allocated to support Ukraine — $250 million every quarter. would go to that country's account.
The third project focuses on updating sanctions against entities supporting the Russian arms industryincluding imposing restrictions on Chinese companies supplying goods necessary for the production of weapons.
Uncertain future of laws
Republican Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the committee, admitted in an interview with Ukrainian television that there is currently “no obvious path forward.” He pointed to the limited time for voting in the Senate and the so-called shutdown, i.e. suspension of government activities. Simultaneously expressed cautious optimism that these regulations could be passed in a relatively short time.
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The commission's deputy head, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, emphasized that Wednesday's vote is evidence of growing pressure within Congress to take action against Russia. She noted that these were the first anti-Russian projects to come out of the committee this term.
According to a source close to the Republicans in the Senate, politicians from this party are pressuring the leadership to allow the projects to be voted on. But the key obstacle remains the lack of consent from President Donald Trump. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bills would only be put to a vote if the White House deems it favorable..
