The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved three significant bills aimed at holding Russia accountable for its ongoing war against Ukraine. This marks the first occasion in the current Congress that legislation targeting Russia has been considered. The bills are now set to face an uncertain future in both the Senate and House.
The committee’s unanimous voice vote on the measures occurred on March 15, 2024. One bill seeks to update existing law, allowing the president to allocate approximately $5 billion in frozen Russian assets under U.S. jurisdiction to Ukraine. Another measure mandates sanctions on individuals or entities from China that support Russia’s military efforts. The third bill proposes that Russia be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism unless it returns Ukrainian children who have been abducted and relocated to Russia and other countries. The Ukrainian government estimates that nearly 20,000 children have been kidnapped since the invasion in February 2022.
“I think it’s notable that this is the first time in this Congress that Russia-related legislation has been considered before the committee,” stated Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the panel. She emphasized the necessity for Congress to take action against Vladimir Putin and his unprovoked war in Ukraine. Despite some waning support for Ukraine among U.S. lawmakers, a majority from both parties still back measures to assist the country.
Former President Donald Trump has been less consistent in his support for Ukraine, often withholding new U.S. financial assistance and echoing Russian narratives regarding the war. There are concerns that Trump may seek to obstruct the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s recent actions, similar to his previous interference with sanctions legislation targeting Russian oil and gas.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who co-chairs the Senate NATO Observer Group, expressed cautious optimism regarding bipartisan support for a tougher stance on Russia. “We’re consulting with them,” he said regarding potential collaboration with the Trump administration on the new bills. The White House has not yet clarified its position on the proposed use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine.
Legislative Context and Future Prospects
The recent legislative activity occurs within a broader context of attempts by Trump to negotiate an end to the war that began with Russia’s invasion. Trump has exhibited a tendency to avoid antagonizing Putin during these negotiations. Just this month, he reconsidered a potential transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine after a phone conversation with the Russian leader.
Moreover, Trump has not requested funding for U.S. defense contractors to produce weapons for Ukraine for the fiscal year 2026, indicating a shift in financial responsibility towards European nations. The forthcoming National Defense Strategy is anticipated to reflect a lesser focus on defending Europe, aligning with the views held by Trump and other administration officials.
The three bills were part of a larger package of 18 bills and two nominations approved by the Senate committee. The likelihood of these Russia-focused measures passing in both legislative chambers remains uncertain. Recently, Trump persuaded Senate Majority Leader John Thune to withdraw a proposal for a Senate vote on new sanctions against Russia, indicating ongoing challenges in advancing this legislation.
International Implications and Future Actions
In a related development, Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, recently indicated that the administration is preparing to announce an increase in sanctions against Russia, although further details were not disclosed. This announcement follows the G7 nations’ collective commitment to a $50 billion loan to Ukraine, with the expectation of repayment from interest on frozen Russian assets held in Belgium.
Despite this support, the Trump administration has expressed hesitance toward a European Union-led initiative to utilize frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian aid. Moreover, reports suggest that Ukraine has reservations regarding the terms of the EU’s proposed financial mechanism for handling approximately $163 billion in frozen assets.
Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, defended the proposed actions regarding Russian assets, asserting that the extreme brutality of Russia’s actions against Ukrainian citizens justifies these measures. The bipartisan backing for the bill to repurpose frozen Russian assets marks a significant step forward.
The proposed amendments include establishing a fund for Ukraine that the president could access without confiscating Russian assets, with the expectation that some $5 billion of the estimated $300 billion in frozen assets will be allocated to aid Ukraine.
The bill concerning the potential designation of Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism requires the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the status of Ukrainian children abducted since the invasion. If it cannot be certified that these children have been reunited with their families, the Secretary is compelled to designate Russia accordingly.
As the U.S. Senate prepares to discuss these measures, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the legislative fate of these bills and the broader implications for international relations and support for Ukraine.
