June 15, 2017 — Washington, D.C.
AJC, the global Jewish advocacy organization, applauded the U.S. Senate for passing a bipartisan plan to codify existing Russian sanctions and require the President to obtain congressional approval to waive or remove any sanctions against Russia.
To address Russian meddling in our elections, sanctions will be imposed on several new entities, including "individuals conducting malicious cyber activity on behalf of the Russian government." AJC urges that these provisions – tacked onto the equally laudable and necessary Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act – be quickly considered by the House and signed into law by the administration.
“Beyond its illegal annexation of Crimea, and its destabilizing activities in eastern Ukraine, Russia continues to engage in illicit activities around the world,” said Jason Isaacson, AJC Associate Executive Director for Policy. “Russia employs cyber intrusions, social media disinformation and other forms of propaganda, and corrupt financial practices to buy influence and spread distrust in democratic institutions. The United States must take further action to combat this hostile Russian behavior.”
For decades, AJC has been a consistent voice for human rights and democracy in the former Soviet Union. During this month’s AJC Global Forum, some 700 advocates met with members of Congress from across the United States to promote similar legislation in the House and the Senate.
AJC’s Director of Russian Affairs conducts frequent assessment visits in the region, and AJC leadership delegations regularly conduct high-level consultations with political and community leaders. The first non-Ukrainian Jewish organization to call for recognition of an independent Ukraine, AJC maintains close contact with Ukrainian officials, U.S. and foreign diplomats in the country, the Ukrainian Jewish community, and other civil society figures.
“Russia’s hostile actions continue to pose a threat to international order,” said Isaacson. “Through strong bipartisan support, the Senate has shown that countering Russian aggression is not only in America’s national interest, but also a global necessity.”
