More than 30 Republican senators introduced legislation seeking to impose Russian sanctions

A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation that sanctions Russia for present and potential future aggression against Ukraine.

U.S. Sens. John Kennedy (R-LA) and Jim Risch (R-ID) recently joined over 30 other Republican colleagues in presenting the Never Yielding Europe’s Territory (NYET) Act, which would provide support for Ukraine’s self-defense and deter Russian aggression.

“What you allow is what will continue, and Russia’s thuggery must end now,” Kennedy said. “This bill would help Ukraine defend itself and punish Putin and his oligarchs for Moscow’s rogue aggression towards Ukraine.”

The NYET Act would initiate, among other actions, sanction against Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline; sanctions Russian allies and major Russian banks; allocate $500 million in Foreign Military Financing for Ukraine, including $100 million earmarked for emergency lethal assistance for capabilities such as air defense, anti-armor, and anti-ship functions; establish a Ukraine Resistance Fund to aid the country in resisting Russian attempts to occupy or subjugate any new territory seized; and double domestic military exercise funding in Europe.

“While a ‘military’ invasion has not yet occurred, there are other ways Russia can attack Ukraine that would be debilitating for Ukrainians and European security more generally,” Risch said. “Rather than simply restating authorities the president already has, the NYET Act takes immediate action to permanently stop Nord Stream 2, sends a powerful deterrent message, imposes heavy economic and military costs on Russia, strengthens U.S. allies and partners, and supports Ukraine via new authorities, funds, and tools.”