Merkley Statement on Russia Sanctions to Bolster Ukraine’s Fight for Democracy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley - a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - issued the following statement after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to crack down on Russia's ability to fund its war in Ukraine:

"The United States must stand with democratic republics around the world when they are attacked by authoritarian states. It is our responsibility to strongly support Ukraine in turning back Russia's invasion. The people of Ukraine have gone through repeated struggles to preserve their freedom, including the Orange Revolution and the rejection of an authoritarian leader who wanted to put them under Putin's thumb. Ukrainians continue to fight fiercely against Russia despite the invading nation's overwhelming size and power, and now is the time to act decisively to cut off Russia's ability to fund its brutal invasion.

"Russia sustains its assaults with the flow of oil money, which was only enhanced when President Trump waived sanctions that allowed Russia to sell its oil at a much higher price on the global market. The bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate today ends these giveaways and cuts off an economic lifeline for Russia, with the goal of supporting Ukraine in its battle for freedom.

"This proposal advances this goal by imposing sanctions on Russia, as well as authorizing tariffs on the top five countries importing Russian oil or gas, and on the top five countries that facilitate the evasion of sanctions on Russian oil through financial means or shadow tanker fleets. These tools are potentially highly effective, but the bill would be much better if it implemented the measures instead of leaving it to Trump's discretion. Nevertheless, this is an important strategy to advance the defense of Ukraine.

"Ultimately, the overriding consideration in this debate is standing with Ukraine and diminishing Russia's ability to prosecute its war with every tool at our disposal."

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