The US Congress has imposed new economic sanctions against Russia and authorized lethal and non-lethal military aid to Ukraine.
The legislation, approved overnight Thursday, authorizes US President Barack Obama to provide lethal aid to Ukraine, including anti-tank weapons, ammunition, and “tactical troop-operated surveillance drones.”
The West accuses Moscow of having a hand in the crisis in eastern Ukraine, which erupted when Kiev launched military operations in April to silence pro-Russia protests in the east. However, the Kremlin rejects the accusation.
The legislation, which was passed unanimously in the US Senate and House of Representatives, does not legally require Obama to take action in this regard.
Moscow slammed the “anti-Russian” move in a statement released on Friday evening.
“Washington has, once again, leveled baseless accusations against Russia and threatened us with new sanctions,” read the statement.
US Senator Bob Corker, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said unanimous support for the legislation shows “a firm commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty.”
Moscow said the US lawmakers should “abandon their illusions on the efficacy of sanctions in their heated campaign against Russia,” adding, “We will not submit to blackmail. We will not cede our national interests. And we will not tolerate interference in our internal affairs,”
In recent months, Western states have imposed sanctions on Moscow’s financial and energy sectors along with a number of Russian nationals close to President Vladimir Putin.
In November, the Pentagon delivered 20 anti-mortar radar systems to Ukraine.
NT/NT
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