A bipartisan group of lawmakers called on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to cut ties with Russian arms dealer Rosoboronexport on Wednesday in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine.
Reps. Kay Granger (R-Texas) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) spearheaded a letter to Hagel that details the Department of Defense’s efforts to follow through on a contract to purchase helicopters from the firm despite legislative efforts to cutoff taxpayer dollars to Rosoboronexport.
“Given Russia’s recent actions that violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including its support of the illegal referendum for Crimean separation, we strongly urge (Hagel) to terminate these contracts,” Granger and DeLauro said.
Sanctions can be applied to the Russian arms sector under an executive order issued by President Obama on Monday. The president noted in the executive order that Russia threatened the peace, security, stability and sovereignty of Ukraine and posed an extraordinary threat to the national security foreign policy of the United States.
“We agree, and accordingly strongly urge (Hagel) to cancel contracts with Rosoboronexport for the delivery of Mi-17s to the Afghan National Security Forces, for supplying spare parts or for the sustained maintenance of these helicopters,” Granger and DeLauro said.
Reps. James Moran (D-Va.), Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) also signed the letter to Hagel.