WASHINGTON — After continued attacks by pro-Russian separatists on the Ukrainian military, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has threatened to impose additional economic sanctions on Russia if it continues to support the rebels. Biden is asking Russia to stop shipments of heavy weapons and other war material to Ukraine. This announcement comes after a request for ceasefire by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who hopes to begin peace talks.
The Ukrainian government has tried to negotiate an end to the violence, but the separatist forces have not abided by their terms. An earlier ceasefire declared in June failed when the rebels killed 27 Ukrainian soldiers and injured 69 others. Ukraine has since resumed bombing separatist bases.
Russia has claimed that it wants peace, but in a press release Vice President Biden asserted that “the United States remains focused on Russia’s actions, not its words.” If Russian shipments of arms to Ukrainian separatists continue, the Obama administration will aim to implement sanctions on the Russian defense and financial sectors. Called “scalpel sanctions” for their narrow scope, these policies would stop U.S. firms from dealing with Russia’s banks, arms dealers and natural gas companies, leaving the domestic economy intact.
The threatened sanctions, if implemented, would join existing restrictions on groups supporting the separatists. Among these are executive orders 13660, 13661 and 13662, which freeze all assets in the United States that belong to supporters of the rebels, Russian government officials and Russian business executives that work for defense or energy companies respectively. Authorized by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, these sanction orders work to deter Russia from offering more assistance to separatist forces without using force.
Meanwhile, the U.S. actively gives foreign aid to Ukraine’s military and police forces. Historically, most of this money has gone to remove potential weapons of mass destruction from the country. However, beginning in 2013, a much larger percentage of U.S. aid funds were allocated to stability operations, including fighting rebels, according to ForeignAssistance.gov. While this is not direct military assistance, it helps Ukraine’s army to defend the country from civil disturbances.
The U.S.’ development programs in Ukraine are shifting away from a purely military agenda toward greater humanitarian help. ForeignAssistance.gov reports that, in 2011, only 15 percent of aid money supported health programs in Ukraine. In contrast, 30 percent of all of the U.S.’ Ukraine spending in 2014 has funded health initiatives. This nearly equals the amount spent on defense aid this year.
The extra money for public health makes it clear that the U.S. sees Ukraine as more than just a military partner. By providing direct help to the Ukrainian people, the U.S. hopes to foster a longer-lasting friendship. With help to both defense and non-defense sectors, the U.S. wants to make Ukraine more stable and enhance its ability to provide economic opportunities for its citizens.
Though the U.S. has not sent its army to fight pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, its dollars show where its allegiances lie. Economic sanctions on Russia combined with aid to Ukraine reflect a position favorable to the latter nation. If the requested ceasefire fails, time will tell if Ukraine stays independent, and how the U.S. reacts and changes its economic policies for Eastern Europe.
– Ted Rappleye
Sources: The Hill, ForeignAssistance.gov, U.S. Department of the Treasury
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