Senator Kirk Provision in Russian Sanctions Bill Blocks Intelligence Sharing Between Administration and Putin
The legislation would:
- Prohibit the sharing of sensitive missile defense information with Russia
- Impose sanctions on four key Russian banks, state-owned oil and gas monopolies Gazprom and Rosneft, and the major Russian arms dealer Rosoboronexport
- Substantially increase U.S. and NATO support for Poland and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
- Require the President to accelerate implementation of missile defense in Europe and provide other missile defense support for our NATO allies
“Russia’s actions in Ukraine demonstrate clearly that Vladimir Putin’s aim is to destabilize the region and prevent a Europe which is whole, free, and at peace,†Senator Kirk said. “This legislation is the firm response that is needed to show Russia that aggression carries substantial costs. The United States will always stand with Ukraine and with our reliable NATO allies.”
Included in this legislation is language authored by Senator Kirk that would prohibit the United States government from sharing sensitive missile information with Russia. It would also prohibit the integration of any Russian radar or missile defense system into the United States’ or NATO’s missile defense system.
On March 26, 2014, Senator Kirk authored a letter with 37 other Senators to President Obama requesting that any plans to share sensitive missile and defense information be canceled effective immediately, due to Russia’s ongoing military activities in Ukraine. The letter can be read here. The Administration’s response noted that military relations with Russia have been suspended, but “This Administration, in keeping with previous administrations, has sought cooperation with Russia on missile defense. Genuine missile defense cooperation with Russia has the potential to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the United States and NATO against the ballistic missile threat from states such as Iran and Syria.”
