New Delhi: The US Senate, on Thursday, overwhelmingly voted to show unwavering support for an independent Ukraine, and “condemn” Russian military aggression toward its neighbour. This happened as fresh fears emerged of a possible invasion that could spiral toward a European war.
On Thursday night, the US Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution in support of independent and democratic Ukraine against Russia’s possible invasion, media reports said.
The bipartisan resolution was introduced by US Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, in support of Ukraine in the face of increased Russian aggression, a statement issued by the office of Rob Portman said.
The senators’ resolution is a renewed bipartisan message from the U.S. Senate in fierce support of the United States’ Ukrainian partners in response to President Putin’s escalating aggression, the statement said.
“By acting in bipartisan fashion today, the United States Senate sent a strong message to Russia and the world that we stand with Ukraine. This resolution denounces the buildup of Russian troops at Ukraine’s border and reaffirms our bipartisan commitment to hold Russia accountable if they invade our ally Ukraine,” the statement quoted Portman as saying. “Today’s action reaffirms our commitment to our allies in Eastern Europe as Russia continues its malign influence and goal of rebuilding the old Soviet empire," Portman futher said.
“The Senate reaffirms unwavering United States commitment to support the continuing efforts of the Government of Ukraine to restore its territorial integrity by providing political, diplomatic, and military support, including additional lethal and non-lethal security assistance to strengthen the defense capabilities of Ukraine,” the text of the resolution said, reported Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik.
According to media reports, the resolution encourages US President Joe Biden to impose significant costs on Russia in case of an invasion of Ukraine to restore peace in Europe.
President Joe Biden said the U.S. has “every indication" of a potential Russian attack on Ukraine in a matter of days, after which the action came, according to a report by the Associated Press (AP).
Stark scenarios of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s potential plans as Russian troops remain outmassed at the Ukraine border were outlined by US officials.
The resolution from the senators does not carry the force of law. However, it puts the U.S. legislative body on record with “unwavering United States support for a secure, democratic, and independent Ukraine” and “denounces the Russian military buildup" on Ukraine’s border, the AP report said.
“This Congress is united in its support of Ukrainian independence and sovereignty," the AP report quoted Portman as saying.
The whole week, senators have been racing to mount a response to rising tensions in the region, many eager to go even further by imposing devastating sanctions on Putin that would send shockwaves through the Russian economy, the AP report said.
In the Senate, Ukraine has strong allies. Also there is broad support in the Senate for sanctions on Russia as a powerful foreign policy tool to be used if Putin furthers his aggression toward Ukraine, the AP report said.
“Nothing in this resolution may be construed as (1) a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force against the Russian Federation; or (2) authorization for the introduction of the United States Armed Forces into Ukraine,” the document said, reported Sputnik.
According to reports, western countries continue to allege that Russia is preparing an attack against Ukraine, citing a troop buildup on the border.
On Tuesday, Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that Moscow was withdrawing some of its forces from the border with Ukraine.
Russia has stressed that its own security is jeopardised by North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) increasing presence near Russian borders, and has consistently denied any plans to invade Ukraine, according to reports.