A bipartisan group of senators released a Tuesday statement voicing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and threatening punitive action against Russia if President Vladimir Putin keeps up “his ongoing assault” as bipartisan talks for a sanctions bill faltered.
Congress was pushing for a bigger response to ongoing tensions in the region and fears of an “imminent” attack from Russia. But bipartisan negotiations to level sanctions at Russia stalled in recent days over the scope and timing of the financial penalties. And in the absence of an agreement on legislation, senators opted for a written rebuke.
The statement is a much more limited response but reflects rhetorical unity among Democrats and Republicans in Congress. The statement was signed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, both parties’ whips and the chairmen and ranking members of the Armed Services Committee, the Banking Committee, the Intelligence Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee.
“Should Vladimir Putin further escalate his ongoing assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty, Russia must be made to pay a severe price,” the statement reads. “We are prepared to fully support the immediate imposition of strong, robust and effective sanctions on Russia, as well as tough restrictions and controls on exports to Russia, and we will urge our allies and partners in Europe and around the world to join us.”
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Biden said the U.S. has “not yet verified” Russia’s claims of drawing down troops along Ukraine’s border and that they remain “in a threatening position.” Biden said an invasion of Ukraine is still possible but vowed to continue engaging in diplomacy with Russia.
The Senate, however, is still pushing to act on Russia sanctions, though the fate of bipartisan action looked uncertain as Republicans released their own proposal earlier on Tuesday.
Republicans senators, including Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch of Idaho, released their own sanctions bill on Tuesday that would impose sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine as well as preemptive penalties for Russian banks and officials.
Risch has been involved in bipartisan talks with Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez of New Jersey, who vented frustrations Tuesday about “partisan posturing.” Both Risch and Menendez were included in the Senate’s bipartisan statement on Ukraine and Russia.
Still, it’s possible the GOP’s bill jump-starts stalled bipartisan negotiations to deter Russia from invading Ukraine, but such efforts will likely be paused as the Senate leaves Washington for recess next week.
