US Senate passes bill to impose sanctions on Russia

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 12 approved a bill that would pave the way for imposing tough sanctions on Russians involved in Moscow's intervention in Ukraine, providing aid to the new government in Kiev and implementing reforms of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The bill would impose sanctions on Russian and Ukrainian citizens found to have been involved in violence or human rights violations during the anti-government protests that erupted in Ukraine late last year, as well as any other entities involved in undermining Ukraine’s security and stability. The sanctions would include freezing assets in the United States, banning entry into the country and denying visas.

The US and its allies oppose Russia's support for Crimea's annexation into the country (Source: AFP)

In addition, according to the bill, the US government will support the new Ukrainian government in investigating corruption and recovering assets for the Kiev government.

The document also includes a $1 billion loan guarantee for Kiev, along with millions of dollars in aid.

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed the bill with a 14-3 vote. The next step is for the bill to be voted on by the entire Senate. If approved, the document will need to be passed by the House of Representatives to become law./.

According to VNA