The house of representatives of the United States Congress approved the draft of the Pentagon’s budget for the 2017 fiscal year, which, in particular, provides for a ban on the cooperation of the military Department with Rosoboronexport. It is reported by RIA Novosti.
For the document validity period to the end of September 2017, which provides for the allocation to the military 578 billion dollars, voted 371 Congressman, against 48.
The bill prohibits the Pentagon to use funds allocated for contracts with Rosoboronexport. The ban should remain in place as long as the Corporation does not refuse to supply lethal weapons to Syria, and while “the Russian armed forces would not leave Crimea.”
Exceptions may be made if, after consultation with the Secretary of state and Director of national intelligence will become clear that cooperation with the “Rosoboronexport” meets the interest of the United States. The head of the Pentagon will have to convince of the need of such cooperation, the relevant committees of Congress.
In mid-December, 2016 the outgoing President Barack Obama signed the law on defence spending in 2017, which restricts military cooperation with Russia as long as Russia will not stop “the occupation of the territory of Ukraine and the aggressive actions that threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and members of NATO.”
In mid-December, the United States weakened the unilateral sanctions against the company “Rosoboronexport”, allowing them to purchase specialized digital equipment that is used in the framework of the Treaty on open skies (DON).
The United States has imposed sanctions against several Russian companies, including “Rosoboronexport” in September 2015, and extended them in July 2016. According to Washington, these companies were seen in shipments to Iran, North Korea or Syria “technologies or equipment that can be used in the production of weapons of mass destruction and missile technology”.
Crimea became part of Russia in March 2014 following a referendum. The vast majority of the world does not recognize the voting results and calls the Peninsula occupied territory. In Moscow insist on the legitimacy of accession of the Peninsula.