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U.S. Lawmakers Press Obama To Back Russian Sanctions
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans and Democrats spoke with one voice on Monday in pressing President Barack Obama to sign legislation that would slap new sanctions on Russia while providing weapons and other assistance to Ukraine.
The widely popular legislation cleared Congress late Saturday, but the White House has remained non-committal about whether Obama will sign it into law. Administration officials say the president is evaluating the measure, which would target Russia's energy and defense industries.
The Republican leader of the House, Speaker John Boehner, issued a statement saying the bipartisan bill underscores Congress' "strong moral commitment to the cause of the Ukrainian people" and he called on Obama to sign it immediately.
Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said lawmakers "stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the Ukrainian government and its people against the aggression of Vladimir Putin who continues to upend the international order."
The legislation would require the president to impose penalties on state-owned arms dealer Rosoboronexport and other Russian defense companies tied to unrest in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Syria. The sanctions would be extended to individuals and entities that help the companies.
The bill also would give the president the authority to provide lethal and non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine. This includes anti-tank weapons, counter-artillery radar and tactical surveillance drones. The bill also authorizes $350 million over two years to cover the cost.
Bit of currency Schadenfreude here.
Good morning. Some news from the White House to start the day.
The White House said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko reaffirmed Kyiv’s commitment to continue implementing a “robust program of reforms" during a telephone conversation with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.
Biden said the United States remained committed to working with international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund to ensure that Ukraine will have the support it needs as it implements its reform program.