US lawmakers approved fresh economic sanctions against Russia overnight, a move likely to anger President Vladimir Putin as American lawmakers toughen their response to continued Kremlin-backed aggression in Ukraine.
The legislation also authorizes -- but does not legally require -- US President Barack Obama to provide lethal and non-lethal military aid to Ukraine, including anti-tank weapons, ammunition and "tactical troop-operated surveillance drones."
Washington backs Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, but Obama has yet to approve the bulk of an arms request by Kiev. The bill's coauthor Senator Bob Corker criticized the delay as a "hesitant US response to Russia's continued invasion of Ukraine."
The Pentagon in November delivered the first of 20 anti-mortar radar systems to Ukraine.
The sanctions bill was passed unanimously Thursday in the Senate and House of Representatives. Because of a technical issue it returns to the Senate, where aides say there likely will be unanimous consent for final passage Friday.
It would then go to Obama's desk for his signature.
Lawmakers dropped a key provision in the original bill that would have taken the rare step of designating Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova as major non-NATO allies of the United States.
Senate aides said the provision was removed at the 11th hour in order to ensure final passage.
The measure hits Russia's defense and energy sectors, punishing companies like state defense import-export company Rosoboronexport.
It requires Obama to impose conditional sanctions on the defense sector should Russian state-controlled firms sell or transfer military equipment to Syria, or to entities in Ukraine, Georgia or Moldova without the consent of the governments in those nations.
The rule is aimed at helping stem the flow of weapons from Russia across the border into eastern Ukraine, where Washington and Kiev accuse Moscow of fomenting separatist unrest.
