‘Countering a Resurgent Russia’ - US Congress holds hearing, condemns Russian aggression in Georgia
The hearing Countering a Resurgent Russia was held in the US Congress on May 1. Photo: the hill.
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The US House of Representatives held a hearing on the topic Countering a Resurgent Russia, where diplomats and congresspeople condemned the occupation of Georgian lands by Russia, urging stronger support for Georgia.
Daniel Fried, who served as the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, said that the occupation of Georgia and Ukraine “undermined peace and stability, which have been built for decades.”
He said that the occupation of Georgian lands in 2008 by Russia was a “signal” which was not perceived appropriately by the US and NATO.
The US and NATO reviewed their policies only after the occupation of the Ukrainian territories by Russia in 2014,” he said.
Fried says that Georgia and Ukraine are in need of the support of reformers and the US has such experience to share.
Congresswoman Ann Wagner said that Russia “undermined peace and freedom,” and this was obvious in its actions in Georgia, Ukraine, Syria and now in Venezuela.
Congressman David Trone says that Russia stirs conflicts to prevent Georgia from integrating itself into NATO.
The US Department of State’s Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2018 that Russian illegal activities in Georgia are separating residents from their communities and livelihoods.
Five US senators have introduced a bill to the Senate which provides tougher sanctions against Russia for its illegal activities in Ukraine, Georgia and for its support of the violent regime of Bashar-al-Assad in Syria.
US Congressman Francis Rooney has presented a draft bill to the US Congress which condemns last year’s recognition of independence of the two occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) by Syria.The draft cites Georgia as “one of the US’ most reliable allies in Eurasia” and urges the US government and its partners to take active steps suspend the Russian invasion in its neighboring states.
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill which not only condemns the occupation of Georgian lands but also provides sanctions against those who violate human rights in the two Russian-occupied regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives approved a bipartisan bill-Georgia’s Support Act yesterday, which urges further support for Georgia in the defence field and proposes sanctions against the individuals who violated human rights in the two Georgian occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).