US senators query State Dept over sanctioned Russians' visit
Senior US senators have demanded clarity from the Trump administration regarding a decision to allow a delegation of sanctioned Russian lawmakers into the country.
Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, and Roger Wicker, the Republican chair of the Armed Services Committee, sent a formal letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The document, published on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee website, cites serious national security concerns.
The senators noted that members of the Russian State Duma delegation are currently under US sanctions. They argued that the Duma operates as a subordinate arm of the Kremlin rather than an independent legislature.
Security and intelligence risks
In the letter, the lawmakers alleged that Duma deputies have been involved in cyberattacks against Americans and war crimes in Ukraine. They also accused the members of supporting Iranian attacks on US personnel in the Middle East.
"The delegation came to American soil with a single purpose: to advance the Kremlin's strategic goals," the document stated. The senators claimed the visit was intended for intelligence gathering rather than democratic dialogue.
The letter identified several participants, including Viacheslav Nikonov, who previously described the US and NATO as a "fourth Reich." Other members cited include Mikhail Delyagin and Boris Chernyshev, both of whom have made aggressive public statements regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Demand for accountability
The senators requested answers to five specific questions by a set deadline. They are seeking the legal justification for suspending sanctions and a full list of individuals who entered the US.
The inquiry also asks for details on counterintelligence screenings and any meetings held between the Russian deputies and administration officials.
A similar request was recently sent by six members of the House of Representatives. They also questioned the legal basis for admitting the delegation, arguing it contradicts US sanctions policy.
Diplomatic channels
The Russian delegation visited the US on March 26. The State Department authorised the trip by temporarily waiving sanctions for the group.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, who initiated the meeting, defended the move. She argued that the world’s two largest nuclear powers must maintain open communication.
However, Representative Joe Wilson criticised the move, comparing the arrival of the sanctioned officials to receiving guests from the Third Reich.
The Russian delegation was led by Viacheslav Nikonov and included Svetlana Zhurova and Boris Chernyshev. Zhurova reported that talks focused on the war in Ukraine, visas, and the return of Russian athletes to international competitions.
Following the visit, Nikonov told reporters that a rapid lifting of sanctions is unlikely. He suggested, however, that some measures could be eased if progress is made towards resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
