Sanctions against Russia cannot be softened; on the contrary, new sanctions must be adopted.
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This was stated by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, speaking at the 13th annual YES meeting “The World, Europe and Ukraine: Storms of Change.”
“Sanctions are the only way to keep Putin at the negotiating table. We're counting on it. When we talk about sanctions, we are talking not only about the Minsk agreements. If sanctions are relaxed or lifted, will Russia leave Donbass or Crimea? Will they withdraw their troops? Will political prisoners be released? Will they cooperate with the OSCE? Will Russia do anything to explain to its people why sanctions are being lifted? This is not a step towards a European future, this is not a step towards the future of Ukraine. And taking this into account, an updated version of the Jackson-Vanik amendment would not be superfluous,” Poroshenko believes.
The Ukrainian president told those present about how “at one time” he asked the American Congress to remove the Jackson-Vanik amendment in relation to Ukraine. Today, in his opinion, the time has come to take it against Russia.
“The suffering of Ukrainian citizens has long been no longer the responsibility of individuals. This is the effect of the regime that was created in the Kremlin. And now it is not individual people who must bear responsibility for crimes, but the entire regime. Moscow must understand that the cost of such violations will only grow. Relevant consultations with our partners are already underway,” Petro Poroshenko threatens.
He also called for a response to the “so-called Russian parliamentary elections” that are taking place “on the territory of Ukraine.”
“Our answer is simple - we do not recognize the legitimacy of Russian elections on Ukrainian territory. By holding elections in Crimea, Russia is buying a ticket to the sanctions club,” the Ukrainian president is confident.
Let us recall that the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to the US Trade Act was adopted in 1974 and restricts trade with countries that impede the right to free travel abroad (initially concerned Soviet Jews), as well as violating other human rights. The amendment also imposed discriminatory tariffs and charges on goods imported into the United States from non-market economies. In 2012, the amendment in relation to the Russian Federation was officially repealed by the US Congress.