US prepares sanctions against Russia over Navalny

A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced draft legislation to the US Congress on sanctions against Russia due to the situation with Russian blogger Alexey Navalny, press service of Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida, reported on Wednesday.

The Holding Russia Accountable for Malign Activities Act of 2021 was reintroduced by US Senators Marco Rubio and Chris Coons (a Democrat from Delaware), who were joined by Ben Cardin (a Democrat from Maryland), Mitt Romney (a Republican from Utah), Chris Van-Hollen (a Democrat from Maryland) and Dick Durbin (a Democrat from Illinois).

"This bill would impose targeted sanctions against Russian officials complicit in brazen violations of international law including the poisoning and imprisonment of opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny," the statement said.

Additionally, if approved, this initiative directs the US administration to determine "if the Kremlin has violated US laws prohibiting the use of chemical and biological weapons." The bill also demands "a report on the assassination of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov."

The press service reiterated that last September, the lawmakers introduced a similar bill to the US Congress. According to the Congress' database, on September 24, the initiative was directed to a relevant Senate committee. No information on any further actions on the document is included.