The project entitled "The Law on the Protection of American Security from the Kremlin's Aggression" was introduced by influential senators from both parties. Each of them has repeatedly said in favor of tightening sanctions. In particular, Republican Lindsey Graham after the meeting of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Helsinki made a televised speech with strict suggestion against the US president:.
"When you sit down at the negotiating table with Putin, I hope you understand that you are speaking with the enemy of the United States, the enemy of democracy, and do not be deceived, Mr. President: Putin is not your friend".
Ben Sass, a Republican, also spoke in a similar way:.
"Vladimir Putin is not a friend. Vladimir Putin is a despot. The President of the United States was not right when he congratulated him, and the White House press secretary was not right when she evaded the simple question of whether Putin's re-election was free and fair. The American people know the answer, and the citizens of Russia know, and the whole world knows ".
Republican senator Marco Rubio, in January, introduced a draft of the "Deterrence Law" (or, in another version of the translation, "intimidation") to the Chamber and now proposes to return to this issue. The bill Rubio has already received the support of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the chairmen of the relevant committees, the legal and foreign affairs. Here's how Marco Rubio explained his position:.
"The only thing that Vladimir Putin understands is intimidation. The "intimidation law" contains a list of sanctions that take effect immediately after the Director of National Intelligence comes to the conclusion that Russia is again interfering in our elections. So even before he begins to act, he will very well understand the price to pay for it. People like Vladimir Putin act on the basis of the assessment of benefits. They weigh losses and acquisitions and take an appropriate decision. There is no doubt that in 2016 he decided that the losses will be low and the purchases huge, and he will do it again if the price is not high enough ".
It was with this statement made on Thursday at a briefing in the White House, the director of national intelligence Dan Coates. He was supported by the heads of other agencies responsible for national security, who took part in the briefing:.
"The intelligence community remains concerned about threats to the forthcoming elections, both interim and presidential 2020. As for Russian interference in the midterm elections, we continue to observe the ubiquitous propaganda campaign of Russia, which aims to weaken America and sow discord in it. These efforts are not limited to current or future elections, but definitely concern issues that are relevant to the elections. We also know that the Russians tried to hack computers and steal information from both candidates and officials ".
Finally, last month, with his legislative initiative, another co-author of the sanctions bill came out: Republican Corey Gardner:.
"Four years ago, almost three hundred people died when a Russian missile knocked down from the territory of eastern Ukraine an airplane" Malaysian Airlines ". Russia not only destroyed a passenger airliner, but also invaded neighboring Georgia and Ukraine, supports the bloody regime of Assad and our enemies in Afghanistan in Syria. It conducts an active information war against Western democracies, including interference in elections in the United States and other countries. Earlier this year, the Russians once again went beyond the permissible limits, using chemical weapons against two people in the territory of our ally. I am making a bill obliging the State Department within the next 90 days to determine whether Russia should be included in the list of states that sponsor terrorism, and I hope for a speedy discussion of the project ".
The provision obliging the State Department to consider including Russia in the list of sponsors of terrorism became part of the bill "On the Protection of American Security from the Kremlin's Aggression". The project also provides for the preparation of a report on Vladimir Putin's personal assets and the imposition of sanctions against Russian politicians, oligarchs and members of their families who "directly or indirectly contribute to illegal and harmful activities in the interests of Vladimir Putin". Sanctions are subject to investment in Russian energy projects and operations with Russian government securities.
This point, however, turned out to be softer than expected: investors will be able to work with the already issued federal loan bonds - only new issues have been sanctioned. In addition, the law will require insurance companies to establish and report to the relevant authorities the identity of the ultimate purchaser of large real estate in the United States.
In accordance with the law, the National Center for Combating Hybrid Threats will be established in the United States, and the Department for Cyberspace and Digital Economy. The penalties for cybercrime will be tightened, especially for the hacking of critical infrastructure management systems. Interference in the elections will be the basis for refusal in the form of residence in the US. Finally, for the US withdrawal from NATO, a qualified majority in the Senate, that is, two thirds of the vote. To reduce the dependence of some NATO members on Russian weapons, the US will send them surpluses of its own weapons.
A tough line towards Russia was supported by Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan. He made this statement immediately after the summit in Helsinki:.
"Vladimir Putin does not share our interests. Vladimir Putin does not share our values. We have just completed an investigation into Russian interference. Intervention in our elections was. This is quite obvious. As a result, we imposed sanctions on Russia, so we forced them to respond. I understand the desire and need to build relationships. This is quite reasonable. But Russia is a state threatening us, which does not share our interests and our values. On this occasion there can be no doubt ".
The bill, introduced in the Senate, enjoys wide support in Congress. In any case, none of the legislators has yet spoken out against. The president has not yet expressed his attitude to the bill. But if it is adopted by consensus, as it happened a year ago with another law on sanctions, President Donald Trump will only have to sign it.
Source: Radio Liberty.