WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and 47 colleagues in introducing primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
These sanctions would be imposed if Russia refuses to engage in good faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or initiates another effort, including military invasion, that undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine after peace is negotiated. The legislation also imposes a 500 percent tariff on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products.
“We are pleased to announce that we have received overwhelming bipartisan support for our primary and secondary sanctions legislation against Russia. The sanctions against Russia require tariffs on countries who purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products. They are hard hitting for a reason.
“The dominating view in the United States Senate is that Russia is the aggressor, and that this horrific war and Putin’s aggression must end now and be deterred in the future.
“We share President Trump’s frustration with Russia when it comes to obtaining a ceasefire, and support President Trump’s desire to achieve a lasting, just and honorable peace.
“In 1994, as part of the Budapest Memorandum Ukraine gave up approximately 1,700 nuclear weapons with a promise from the U.S., Russia and United Kingdom that Ukraine’s sovereignty would be honored in the future. This failed to deter Russian aggression. In 2014 and 2015, the Minsk agreements were reached to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but again, it did nothing to deter future aggression. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine once more, leading to deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions.
“It is our hope that in 2025, President Trump and his team will achieve what has eluded the world in the past: ending Russian aggression against Ukraine permanently and ensuring the survivability of a free and democratic Ukraine.
“We support an immediate ceasefire to secure a lasting, honorable peace.”
In addition to Senators Hirono, Blumenthal, and Graham, the sanctions are cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Boozman (R-AK), Katie Britt (R-AL), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AK), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Husted (R-OH), Jim Justice (R-WV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jack Reed (D-RI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).
Companion legislation is being introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).
The full text of the bill is available here.
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