The legislation is also called the “Ukraine Freedom Support Act.” But really freedom has nothing to do with it when you think about it.
There was some very interesting language within a bill (S. 2828) in the US Senate recently which made a reference to what is called a “Statement of policy regarding Ukraine.”
Such statements constitute official position statement by the United States government on a variety of issues. In this case the civil war in Ukraine.
The bill is designed really as a continuation of the attempt in Washington to wage a type of economic and undeclared war against Russia. Among other things it will also “impose sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation” for its “aggression” in Ukraine and sets the framework to provide “additional assistance” (both military and non military) to the government of Kiev and for “other purposes.”
The legislation is also called the “Ukraine Freedom Support Act.” But really freedom has nothing to do with it when you think about it.
Economic Sanctions are basically understood to be penalties “imposed” by one nation onto one or more other nations.
The purpose of a sanction is to change behavior; however, the intensity of a penalty could vary depending on the issue that developed the creation of such.
Sanctions can be reinforced in a country as a “whole, as in the case of an embargo on a country’s exports (e.g. U.S. sanctions on Cuba) or They can target specific industries, such as an embargo on the sale of weapons of petroleum. Since 1979, the United States and European Union have prohibited the import or export of goods and services to Iran.” Sanctions could be also implemented on individuals such as politicians or business leaders. The purpose of this individual targeted sanction is to alter and to cause “financial difficulties” to the targets and not to a whole nation. Some liken it to an act of war in some cases.
Regime change is the most frequent foreign policy objective of economic sanctions
Some highlights of the bill in question:
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING UKRAINE.
“It is the policy of the United States to further assist the Government of Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity to deter the Government of the Russian Federation from further destabilizing and invading Ukraine and other independent countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. That policy shall be carried into effect, among other things, through a comprehensive effort, in coordination with allies and partners of the United States where appropriate, that includes economic sanctions, diplomacy, assistance for the people of Ukraine, and the provision of military capabilities to the Government of Ukraine that will enhance the ability of that Government to defend itself and to restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of unlawful actions by the Government of the Russian Federation.”
SEC. 8. INCREASED MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE.
“(a) In General.–The President is authorized to provide defense articles, defense services, and training to the Government of Ukraine for the purpose of countering offensive weapons and reestablishing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including anti-tank and anti-armor weapons, crew weapons and ammunition, counter-artillery radars to identify and target artillery batteries, fire control, range finder, and optical and guidance and control equipment, tactical troop-operated surveillance drones, and secure command and communications equipment, pursuant to the provisions of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.), the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), and other relevant provisions of law.
(b) Report Required.–Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a report detailing the anticipated defense articles, defense services, and training to be provided pursuant to this section and a timeline for the provision of such defense articles, defense services, and training, to–
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.–
(1) IN GENERAL.–There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 to carry out activities under this section.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.–Amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain available for obligation and expenditure through the end of fiscal year 2017.
(d) Authority for the Use of Funds.–The funds made available pursuant to subsection (c) for provision of defense articles, defense services, and training may be used to procure such articles, services, and training from the United States Government or other appropriate sources.”
Source: Congressional Record December 11, 2014
See related video: President Obama on Ukraine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PU8SC0n2PU
See video: Putin Jabs Obama: ‘Who Is He to Judge, Seriously?’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hniR-KVtUCo