Congress adopts ban on providing funds for bilateral military cooperation with Russia
The US House of Representatives adopted a draft defense budget for 2017. The document, published on the Congress’s website, establishes a ban on providing funds for bilateral military cooperation between the US and Russia.
In particular, the document states that it is prohibited to allocate funds for military cooperation between the two countries unless the Pentagon can assure Congress that Russia "has stopped the occupation of the territory of Ukraine and its aggressive actions that threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as members of NATO," and "complies with the conditions of the Minsk agreements on the cease-fire in eastern Ukraine."
The ban can be lifted under "certain conditions," the document states.
In addition, the bill prohibits the allocation of funds for "any activity recognizing the Crimea as Russian." This ban could be lifted if the Department of Defense convinces Congress that it is done in US interests.
Congress also plans to spend $3.4 billion on the "deterrence of Russia".
In total, in 2017 the Pentagon will receive $587 billion in funding.
The document was adopted on Friday, December 2nd. 375 voted in favor of the resolution, 34 against.