US approves $738 billion for defense in 2020, including sanctions on 'Nord Stream 2'

US Congress. Photo: Getty

The US Senate has approved the 2020 defense budget bill, which includes a requirement for the administration to impose sanctions on the Russian gas pipeline projects Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream.

The House of Representatives passed the bill on December 11. The bill will now be implemented after White House chief Donald Trump signs it. The US President has also expressed his readiness to sign the bill as soon as lawmakers pass it.

The 2020 US defense budget is allocated $738 billion, up 3.1% from last year, agreed by Republican and Democratic lawmakers on December 9. According to this bill, $635 billion will be used for the Pentagon's essential needs, and $71.5 billion will be allocated to continue military operations in Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and the fight against terrorism in other countries.

Additionally, $31.5 billion is planned to be spent on maintaining nuclear weapons readiness and modernizing them through the US Department of Energy, as well as other defense spending.

The defense spending bill also includes provisions related to Washington's response to various threats, which US lawmakers have "named" Russia and China. Accordingly, lawmakers once again propose expanding the embargo on direct military cooperation with Moscow, and request the US government not to recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea.

In addition, expanded sanctions will be imposed on the Russian gas pipeline projects Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream, with the aim of "ensuring Europe's energy security".

As for military assistance to Ukraine, the bill proposes to provide cruise missiles for coastal defense systems and anti-ship missiles, with an allocation of $300 million, $50 million more than the 2019 budget.

Regarding Türkiye, the defense bill prohibits the transfer of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. It emphasizes that the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense missile system must comply with the law on countering Russian influence in Europe.