69.24: Russia
Other Information:
The heroism – and the suffering – of the people of Russia over the last century demand the world’s respect. As our allies
in their Great Patriotic War, they lost 28 million fighting Nazism. As our allies in spirit, they ended the Soviet terror
that had consumed so many millions more. They deserve our admiration and support as they now seek to reestablish their rich
national identity. We do have common imperatives: ending terrorism, combating nuclear proliferation, promoting trade, and
more. To advance those causes, we urge the leaders of their government to reconsider the path they have been following: suppression
of opposition parties, the press, and institutions of civil society; unprovoked invasion of the Republic of Georgia, alignment
with tyrants in the Middle East; and bullying their neighbors while protecting the last Stalinist regime in Belarus. The Russian
people deserve better, as we look to their full participation in the ranks of modern democracies. Russia should be granted
Permanent Normal Trade Relations, but not without sanctions on Russian officials who have used the government to violate human
rights. We support enactment of the Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act as a condition of expanded trade relations with
Russia.
Stakeholder(s):
Indicator(s):
|
