US lawmakers have stepped up their calls for tougher sanctions against Moscow after talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, Reuters reported.
According to the agency, “state senators have renewed their calls for Congress to approve sanctions against the Russian Federation“ against the background of “little progress in ceasefire talks“. The agency cited data according to which the bill, which envisages the introduction of primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and its trading partners, is supported by 73 out of 100 lawmakers in the US Senate. A similar bill in the lower house of Congress has the support of at least 28 of the 435 lawmakers.
Reuters emphasizes that lawmakers in both chambers have not indicated a date for a possible vote on the respective bills.
A bill that provides for the introduction of primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and its trading partners if Moscow rejects the ideas proposed by Washington for resolving the conflict in Ukraine was introduced in early April by a group of 50 senators from both parties. They proposed the introduction of import duties of 500% on goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other goods. The bill was introduced by senators Lindsey Graham (Republican of South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (Democrat of Connecticut).
On May 16, negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were held in Istanbul. After the meeting, Moscow and Kiev agreed to exchange prisoners on a “1,000-for-1,000” basis, to present their vision for a possible future ceasefire in detail, and to continue the negotiation process. The head of the Russian delegation, presidential advisor Vladimir Medinsky, said that the Russian side was satisfied with the results of the meeting. He also reported that Ukraine had requested direct talks between the leaders of the countries, and Russia had taken “this request into account.”