Says There is Bipartisan Support for U.S. to “Act Alone Without Europe” on Tougher Sanction
WASHINGTON – Appearing on MSNBC’s Daily Rundown today to discuss the missile strike on Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the investigation is “going to point directly at Russia” and there is bipartisan support for the U.S. “to act alone without Europe” in expanding existing sanctions against significant Russian entities in the energy, financial and defense sectors.
“[W]e want to make sure the investigation is complete, but I don't think there's any question it's going to point directly at Russia,” said Corker. “I think we've been incredibly tepid and cautious, and…there is bipartisan support for this administration to act alone without Europe.”
In April, Senator Corker introduced legislation as a strategic response to Russian aggression in Europe. Specifically the bill would strengthen the NATO alliance, impose a series of tough sanctions for specific Russian actions, including against Rosneft, Novatek, Gazprombank and VEB, and authorize defensive military assistance and support for non-NATO allies of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
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