Lankford Pushes for Sanctions on Belarus to Stop Russia’s Aggression Toward Ukraine

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Belarus Aggression Accountability Act to deter Belarus from allowing Russia to use its territory to invade Ukraine. Lankford’s bill would sanction Belarus or any country that aids Russia’s ongoing, unprovoked aggression toward the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Russia has stationed nearly 30,000 troops near the Belarus/Ukraine border, its largest deployment to Belarus since the Cold War. Additionally, Russia has positioned 130,000 troops on the Russia/Ukraine border and deployed six additional naval vessels to the Black Sea. 

“Belarus is allowing thousands of Russian troops into their country to line their border with Ukraine. The US should make it clear that strong economic and diplomatic sanctions will be applied to any country that supports Russia’s attempts to invade Ukraine,” said Lankford. “It is easier to stop a war that has never started than it is to end a war in process. This is a strong stance America can take to counter Russia and Belarus as they continue to threaten Ukraine’s independence.” 

Background

The Belarus Aggression Accountability Act:

• Will make no distinction between the Russian Federation and any other government – including Belarus – that aids or assists Russian forces in any acts of military aggression that violate the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Ukraine;
• Establishes mandatory sanctions for actions by Belarus that aid or assist Russia with an invasion of Ukraine, including:
• Participating jointly with Russia in an invasion of Ukraine,
• Providing material, tactical, or other support to a Russian invasion of Ukraine,
• Hosting Russian forces that participate in an invasion of Ukraine,
• Working with the Russian intelligence sector in an invasion of Ukraine, or
• Procuring or transferring lethal arms that are used in an invasion of Ukraine; and
• Requires regular reporting from the Departments of State, Treasury, and Defense on military cooperation between Russia and Belarus.

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