Personal measures against high-ranking officials representing the state are a bad example and can destabilize the situation in the world, since other states can introduce similar measures against Washington, Anton Morozov, a member of the State Duma’s international committee, told RIA Novosti, commenting on the new package of sanctions against the Russian Federation being developed in the United States.
The House of Representatives Regulations Committee of the US Congress approved a bill recommending the introduction of sanctions against 35 Russian officials, businessmen and journalists who, according to Washington, are involved in human rights violations. Among them are the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, the Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko, the Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin and others.
“Personal sanctions against Russian citizens holding high positions and essentially representing the state and at the international level, of course, is an out of the ordinary event. I think it sets a bad example for other states, which may also want to impose sanctions, but against American officials. On the whole, this will destabilize the international situation, “Morozov said.
He also noted that Russia is interested in a friendly dialogue with all countries, including the United States. “We consider them a promising partner. And we have a lot of tasks that we could solve together, among them – sustainable development of all regions, the fight against terrorism, climate change. But such steps will not help strengthen (relations – ed.) and the solution of these tasks, “the parliamentarian added.
The text of the amendment was proposed by Democratic Congressman Tom Malinowski. He suggests that within 180 days after the adoption of the law, US President Joe Biden must submit to the appropriate congressional committees an opinion on whether any of the mentioned persons should be included in the sanctions list under the Magnitsky Act.
The bill was introduced as an amendment to the country’s draft defense budget for fiscal 2022. It will have to be approved by the full composition of the US Congress, even then it will be of a recommendatory nature. The imposition of sanctions itself remains at the discretion of the American administration.