cyber-security 14 February 2019

US senators reintroduce bill toughening stance on Russia

President Trump’s ‘willful paralysis’ in the face of Kremlin aggression has reached ‘a boiling point in Congress.’ So said Senator Bob Menendez in words accompanying the introduction of proposed legislation which would ‘increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on the Russian Federation in response to Russia’s interference in democratic processes abroad, malign influence in Syria, and aggression against Ukraine, including in the Kerch Strait.

‘The legislation establishes a comprehensive policy response to better position the US government to address Kremlin aggression by creating new policy offices on cyber defences and sanctions coordination. The bill stands up for NATO and prevents the President from pulling the US out of the Alliance without a Senate vote. It also increases sanctions pressure on Moscow for its interference in democratic processes abroad and continued aggression against Ukraine.’

If put into law, the Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act (‘DASKA’) of 2019, would, amongst other things impose: ‘

  • Sanctions on Russian banks that support Russian efforts to undermine democratic institutions in other countries
  • Sanctions on investment in Russian LNG projects outside of Russia
  • Sanctions on Russia’s cyber sector
  • Sanctions on Russian sovereign debt
  • Sanctions on political figures, oligarchs, and family members and other persons that facilitate illicit and corrupt activities, directly or indirectly, on behalf of Vladimir Putin.’

For further information, see:
https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/senators-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-hold-russia-accountable