Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
WASHINGTON, DC. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) has cosponsored the Never Yielding Europe’s Territory (NYET) Act to provide Ukraine with the critical support it needs to defend itself and deter Russian aggression today, while imposing real costs on the Kremlin for its ongoing threat to Ukraine.
“Vladimir Putin’s destabilizing behavior directly threatens the sovereignty of Ukraine and European stability. Imposing costs on Russia while also providing Ukraine with critical financial aid and additional resources for its self-defense will reduce the prospect of invasion. Doing nothing in the face of this crisis is not a viable strategy,” said Senator Fischer.
U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) led the introduction of the legislation. In addition to Senator Fischer, other cosponsors include Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and John Thune (R-S.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).
The NYET Act would:
Impose real costs on Russia
- Immediately stop construction of the Nord Stream 2 project and would mandate sanctions on the project without a waiver should Russia invade. Prior to an invasion, the bill suspends sanctions for as long as the German government continues to suspend the certification process.
- Send a clear deterrent message to Putin that an invasion of Ukraine will result in massive economic consequences to Russia’s economy, including:
- Sanctions on major Russian banks; and
- Secondary sanctions on banks that continue business with sanctioned Russian banks.
- Sanction Putin’s cronies, enablers, and major banks before Russia further invades Ukraine to ensure Putin pays a price now for hybrid attacks already launched.
- Allow any chairman or ranking member of a national security committee to force a determination from the president on whether Russia’s aggression against Ukraine constitutes a major escalation and fulfills conditions to trigger sanctions.
Support Ukraine before, during, and after a Russian escalation:
- Provide $500 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Ukraine, including $250 million in emergency funding, with $100 million for emergency lethal assistance for critical capabilities like air defense, anti-armor, and anti-ship capabilities.
- Create a new Ukraine Resistance Fund to help Ukraine resist attempts to occupy or subjugate any new territory Russia seizes, while sending a clear message to Putin that his military will pay a price for advances into sovereign Ukrainian territory.
- Authorize a new Lend-Lease authority for Ukraine.
- Expedite congressional review of arms sales and security assistance to Ukraine.
Counter Russian malign influence and aggression throughout Europe:
- Double funding for U.S. military exercises in Europe.
- Create a new State Department FMF program for Eastern Europe to help European allies strengthen their own defensive capabilities and incentivize greater burden-sharing.
- Boost funding for State Department efforts to counter Russian disinformation, including the Global Engagement Center, and expand broadcasting by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Text of the NYET Act can be found here.
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