10:37 19.07.2019

U.S. Congress prepares new sanctions against Russia for illegally detaining Ukrainian sailors, naval ships

2 min read
U.S. Congress prepares new sanctions against Russia for illegally detaining Ukrainian sailors, naval ships

The U.S. Congress has prepared new sanctions against Russia for illegally holding the crews and ships of Ukraine's Naval Forces, Ukraine's embassy in the United States has said.

"A bipartisan measure measures has been floored in the U.S. House of Representatives to introduce sanctions against 24 high-ranking Russian special services officers and their assistants for the illegal detainment of 24 Ukrainian sailors and three ships of Ukraine's Naval Forces near the Kerch Strait in November 2018. The draft measure says the sanctions will stay in effect until Russia releases the POW sailors and ships," Ukraine's Embassy in the United States said on Facebook on Friday.

In a joint statement about the bipartisan bill, U.S. lawmakers noted that "the international community must not stand idly by as Russia increases its aggression in Europe and globally."

"This bill sends a powerful message to the Ukrainian sailors and their families that the American people have not forgotten their heroic struggle to protect their nation's democratic trajectory and sovereignty. We call on our House colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation and for Russia to immediately release the Ukrainian sailors," says a letter by U.S. lawmakers accompanying the bill.

Co-authors of the measure include U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Mike Quigley (D-IL), as well as Republicans Andy Harris (R-MD) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

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