Posted on 01/26/2024 2:26:53 PM PST by UMCRevMom@aol.com
A U.S. Senate committee approved legislation on Wednesday that would help set the stage for the United States to confiscate Russian assets and hand them over to Ukraine for rebuilding after the destruction of the nearly two-year-long war.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 20 to 1 in favor of the unprecedented "Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity (REPO) for Ukrainians Act."
If it were to pass the full Senate and House of Representatives and be signed into law by President Joe Biden, as expected, the act would pave the way for Washington's first-ever seizure of central bank assets from a country with which it is not at war.
Senator Ben Cardin, the Democratic foreign relations committee chairman, was optimistic about the bill becoming law, noting that it has broad support, from both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and House, as well as from Biden's administration.
"Ukraine is on the verge of being overrun by Russia if we do not give them the help that they need... and we all know that it will not end with Ukraine," he said, before the committee voted. The House Foreign Affairs Committee has passed a similar bill, also with overwhelming bipartisan support. Cardin said he expected the Democratic-majority Senate and Republican-majority House would be able to resolve the differences between the two bills.
The EU, United States, Japan and Canada froze some $300 billion of Russian central bank assets in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. Only about $5 billion to $6 billion are in the United States, with most held in Europe, and most of those in Belgium's Euroclear central securities depositary.
"This is intended to be a big hammer. It's intended to be a very new way of attacking a country that does not behave itself," Republican Senator Jim Risch said.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
In troubled times, as we defend our land and our souls, we are making our way to freedom... including a spiritual one. Amen" ~ President Zelenskyy
You’re next.
“You’re next.”
Don’t leave me out of that threat. I’d like a piece of that, tough guy.
“In troubled times, as we defend our land and our souls, we are making our way to freedom... including a spiritual one. Amen”
May God revive our national soul as well.
“May God revive our national soul as well.”
May it be so.
This thread is brought to you by the Ministry of Propaganda of Ukraine.
This would be a very bad mistake. Only a stupid government like ours would pull this stunt.
US Senate panel backs ‘big hammer’ plan to seize Russian assets to help Ukraine
When the time comes, by then it may be back under Russian control as I have my doubts that Russia will ever relinquish control in some form or another over Ukraine.
“Creating a dilemma for the Kremlin, an unlikely challenger to Putin brings a rare show of defiance”
PBS News Hour [excerpt]
Jan 26, 2024 11:51 AM EST
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/creating-a-dilemma-for-the-kremlin-an-unlikely-challenger-to-putin-brings-a-rare-show-of-defiance
They have lined up by the thousands across Russia in recent days, standing in the bitter cold for a chance to sign petitions to support an unlikely challenger to President Vladimir Putin.
Boris Nadezhdin has become a dilemma for the Kremlin as he seeks to run in the March 17 presidential election. The question now is whether Russian authorities will allow him on the ballot.
The stocky, bespectacled 60-year-old local legislator and academic has struck a chord with the public, openly calling for a halt to the conflict in Ukraine, the end of mobilizing Russian men for the military, and starting a dialogue with the West. He also has criticized the country’s repression of LGBTQ+ activism.
“The collection of signatures has gone unexpectedly well for us,” Nadezhdin told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday in Moscow. “We didn’t expect this, to be honest.”
Nadezhdin’s name is a form of the Russian word for “hope,” and although he is highly unlikely to defeat the still-popular Putin, the lines are a rare sign of protest, defiance and optimism in a country that has seen a harsh crackdown on dissent since its troops rolled into Ukraine nearly two years ago.
That’s a great incentive for other nations to do business with US and Europe. /sarc
More members for BRICS!
The Ukrainian crazies on FR and in the US Senate don’t seem to understand the implications of arbitrary seizure of assets.
Did you shoot down anymore of your POW’s today?
It is already known that U.S. and British officials together been working toward the efforts to seize confiscated Russian assets. Hopefully, the G7 leaders will issue a strong statement when they meet in late February.
The G7 leaders consistently stated that Russia is obligated under international law to end its war and pay for the damage it has caused, which already exceeds $400 billion dollars, according to the World Bank.
It is beneath you to repeat Russian propaganda.
“Before you volunteer, go talk to January 6 patriots the DC Gulag.”
So you and your little buddy blackdog are Feds?
Makes sense.
Exactly.
In fact, this seems a motivation for Russia to leave nothing to seize assets for.
Kind of a back-handed way to help Ukraine.
YOU POST THIS FIRST WHEN AMERICA IS BEING INVADED, DISCUSTINGLY UNBELIVABLE!
Russia-Ukraine War threads aren’t what they use to be.
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