US bill to sanction Russia and Belarus over abducted children
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal are leading a new bipartisan effort to sanction Russia.
The bill, which comes a day after Russian drones reportedly entered a NATO member state's territory via Belarus, focuses on punishing Moscow for other crimes, according to The Moscow Times.
The legislation would add Russia and Belarus to the US list of state sponsors of terrorism unless they return more than 19,000 Ukrainian children who have been abducted during the war. Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria are currently the only countries on the list.
"Russia has earned the right to be on that list," Mr Graham said. He added: "Let's do something. Let's, the world, stand up and show that this is unacceptable."
"We need to open another front against Putin's Russia," the senator added. His previous bill to introduce tariffs received backing from more than 80 fellow senators.
The senators continue to work with the White House, despite President Donald Trump preempting their initial plan. Mr Trump doubled taxes on imports from India to 50% and urged the European Union to impose tariffs against India and China for Russian oil purchases.
Mr Graham said "most differences were resolved" during a "good discussion" with the White House. The Senate's Republican Majority Leader John Thune said there was "increased interest" in passing the bill.
The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Mr Putin and his commissioner for children's rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, in connection with the abduction of Ukrainian children.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
