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Punishing Continued Occupation of Ukraine Act

Floor Speech

Date: July 18, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs

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Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill sanctioning Russia for its continued occupation of Ukraine. This bill sends a strong signal by going after Russian financial institutions, which are one of the few soft areas of Russian President Vladimir Putin's underbelly. On February 27, 2014, Russia invaded and occupied Ukraine's Crimea region. Russia continues to ignore the Minsk Agreement and sanctions to date have failed to alter President Putin's calculations regarding Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Putin's regime relies on several large financial institutions to implement its policies and keep the regime afloat. That is why I am introducing a bill to impose sanctions on Russian financial institutions. Russia's continued occupation of Ukraine is intolerable and continued aggression and violation of international norms is unacceptable. Congress must use every tool available to change President Vladimir Putin's behavior. I want to urge my colleagues to pass this important bill.

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