The Senate cleared a resolution Thursday night condemning Russia’s “provocative actions” against Ukraine, after Moscow seized three of the country’s ships.
The Senate cleared the non-binding resolution spearheaded by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) by unanimous consent as it wrapped up its business for the week.
Johnson said Russian President Vladimir Putin is “testing the West,” and that he was “pleased the Senate spoke with one voice to reaffirm our support for the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian government and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.”
{mosads}“Today, the Senate took action and sent a clear message to Putin that his government’s aggression against Ukraine in the Sea of Azov will not be tolerated. We strongly condemn any military action taken by Russia to unilaterally rewrite international rules,” Murphy added.
The resolution “strongly condemns” Russia’s actions and urges the country to release crew members. It also warns Russia that the confrontation off the coast of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula is “destabilizing” the region and “invites further escalation.”
The Senate “urges members of the international community to unite in opposition to the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation in the Kerch Strait, as they infringe upon fundamental principles of international law affecting all nations,” the Senate-passed resolution adds.
The passage of the resolution comes as Russia’s seizure of the ships is posing a new test for Trump, who has caused heartburn on Capitol Hill for his warmer rhetoric toward Putin.
Ukraine is accusing Russia capturing three vessels and 24 crewmembers off the coast of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014 to international condemnation. Moscow has countered that the boats were operating unlawfully in its territorial waters.
Trump announced on Thursday that he was canceling a one-on-one meeting with Putin that was expected to take place at the Group of 20 (G-20) summit because “ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia.”