The Senate and House of Representatives are ready to impose sanctions aimed at weakening Russia’s negotiating position, preventing potential territorial concessions by Ukraine. The main goal is ensuring that any peace agreement does not become a “Munich-style agreement” for the country, according to Defense One.
Congress members Brian Fitzpatrick and Don Bacon said they were “dumbfounded” and “sick to my stomach” after reviewing a plan that included concessions by Ukraine and reductions in its military.
“Munich-style agreement” for Ukraine – a blueprint for Russian dominance
“That is a crossing of a Rubicon where Congress now fully and wholly needs to inject itself in this debate, and that's what we're going to do,” Fitzpatrick said.
They hope to reduce Russia’s leverage through a sanctions bill, with the Senate version already backed by 85 bipartisan cosponsors. Bacon said he plans to sign it on 1 December. If it reaches 218 signatures, lawmakers will be forced to vote.
“Because that plan, that 28-point plan, was utterly ridiculous, should be nowhere in the conversation, nowhere. That's Munich Agreement all over again. We are not going down that path,” he said.
Bacon also questioned why Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the top US diplomat, was excluded from negotiations in Ukraine in favor of senior US officials whose legally defined roles are limited to equipping, training, and preparing soldiers.
The leaked agreement, which was revised and returned to Moscow last week, has been reported by CBS. The original plan included concessions from Ukraine that would have threatened its ability to exist as a sovereign democracy.
“When I looked at that 28-point peace plan on Thursday, it made me sick to my stomach. It would have allowed Russia to resume its invasion at any time,” Bacon said.
Rebuilding Ukraine with $300 billion held in Europe
He also called for careful Ukrainian measures to ensure Russia cannot manipulate the process.
“I was shocked to see Russia’s demands that Ukraine hold elections. Of course, they should hold elections,” Fitzpatrick said.
He continued, “How about Russia holds an election within 100 days too? That is monitored by international monitors, right? Why don't we do both?”
Both lawmakers agreed that a peace agreement is needed, but it must include the confiscation of $300 billion in Russian assets held in European banks to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction.
