Helsinki Commission Announces Briefing on US-Europe Coalition for Russia Sanctions

WASHINGTON-At a virtual kickoff event on December 13, Co-Chairman Cohen and Ranking Member Wilson launched the US-Europe Coalition on Russia Sanctions.

NO SAFE HAVEN

Launching the US-Europe Coalition on Russia Sanctions

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

8:30 a.m. EST

Since February 24, 2022, Western countries have imposed sanctions against Russian officials, businessmen, and public figures who support Russian aggression against Ukraine by financial or political means. Personal sanctions have been effective in creating tension between Putin's proponents and continuing to help Ukraine fight for its independence.

The biggest issue of personal sanctions policy is desynchronization among the countries imposing them. For example, when the United States enacts sanctions against politicians, public officials, and businessmen who support Russia's war, the European Union and the United Kingdom do not. A similar dysfunction occurs when the European Union and Great Britain enforce sanctions on individuals without equal participation from the United States. The unity of the West in imposing sanctions on those driving Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine is essential for Ukrainian victory.

This public briefing will unite seven legislators from the United States, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland. The panelists will announce the creation of the US-Europe Coalition on Russia Sanctions, which will synchronize the sanctions policy between the European Union, Ukraine, and the USA.

The following panelists are scheduled to participate:

Representative Steve Cohen - Member of Congress, Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, United States

Ranking Member Rep. Joe Wilson - Member of Congress, Commissioner of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, United States

Member of Parliament Oleksii Goncharenko - Chairman of the Ukrainian parliament caucuses "For free Caucasus" and "For democratic Belarus", Ukraine

Member of Parliament Dr. Robert Seely, MBE - British Conservative Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Isle of Wight since June 2017.

Member of Parliament Eerik Kross - head of the Estonian delegation in PACE, Estonia

Member of the EU Parliament Petras Austrevicius - serves on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Lithuania

Member of the Sejm Arkadius Mularczyk - Secretary of State for European Affairs, Leader of the Polish delegation to the Council of Europe, Poland