Top Foreign Policy Lawmaker Urges More Russian Sanctions, EU Indicates Support
President Barack Obama should level additional sanctions on the Russian banking, energy and defense sectors to counteract continued Russian violations of Ukrainian territorial sovereignty, said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez, D-N.J., in an Aug. 30 letter, while urging the president to impose the measures in collaboration with European allies. Many U.S. policymakers, including White House officials, allege Russia has in recent days ramped up its military presence in Ukrainian regions that border Russia (here).
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Obama is scheduled to visit Estonia on Sept. 2, primarily to reaffirm support for eastern European partners, the White House said. “While in Europe, I urge you to pursue multilateral policies to appropriately respond to Russia's continued aggression, to increase Russia's economic isolation, and demonstrate NATO’s continued and equal commitment to the security of every member state,” said Menendez in the letter. Menendez dedicated the majority of the letter to pressing Obama to ensure NATO keeps all options at its disposal to confront Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, the European Union is edging closer to setting more sanctions on Russia, said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso in remarks on Aug. 30. Continued Russian escalation of the conflict in Ukraine “will come with a high cost," said Barroso, adding that the commission will quickly propose additional sanctions measures.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the Menendez news release.