Graham Sanctions Bill – Hurray, or Buyer Beware?

This week, US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey Graham Sanctions Bill into Law. Russia is holding parliamentary elections. There is a stark similarity, yet a major difference if the US is still a genuine democracy. Senator Darlene Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was very clear and honest. She said this legislation increases the president’s leverage. And that is precisely what this legislation does. It does not help Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. What was largely unspoken about the recent meeting between Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Trump’s personal envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner was that, besides peace, another topic of conversation was business between Russia and the US. This business can only be pursued actively after the war. Trump is interested in peace. Peace for him is a coveted Nobel Prize, which he will never receive. Much of the world thinks he is an evil clown. Additionally, there are personal business opportunities. Consider the following section of the new legislation: “Section 115. Waiver (a) In general. The President may, subject to subsection (b), waive the application of any sanctions provision with respect to a foreign person, any restriction with respect to a person, or any duty under this title. (b) Reports required (1) In general Before issuing a waiver under subsection (a), the President shall submit to Congress – (A) a certification in writing that the issuance of the waiver is in the national interests of the United States; and Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Urges World Governments to Shut Down ‘Russian Houses’ Ukraine has officially called on foreign governments to close down “Russian House” cultural centers, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said. (B) a report explaining the basis for the certification. (2) Consolidation of reports If the President is issuing more than one waiver of a section of this title, the President may include, in one report submitted under paragraph (1), the certifications and explanations required by that paragraph with respect to each such waiver, as long as all of such certifications and explanations relate to a waiver of the same section of this title. (3) Form of report Each report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex. (4) Applicability to modifications of certain duty rates The President is not required to submit a report under paragraph (1) for a modification or adjustment of a rate of duty pursuant to section 113(b). This paragraph does not modify or negate the requirement to submit a written determination required by section 113(b) or a report required by section 113(g)(1).” This US president can certify anything. To date, he insists that he won the 2020 election. So, does this law have any value for Ukraine at all? No, in fact, its value is negative. President Volodymyr Zelensky was simply diplomatic when he voiced approval. Republican members of Congress will now be able to boast of their support for Ukraine and put to rest any attempts by their constituents to garner support for Ukraine. I spoke recently with an American woman who reluctantly acknowledged that she was registered as a Republican. She had been eavesdropping while I spoke with a friend about my upcoming trip to Ukraine. She interjected, “We are all on the same side; we all want peace in Ukraine, so does the president.” I replied, “Sure, the president wants peace after a Russian victory. This is a war for Ukraine’s existence. Ukraine’s surrender is not an option.” She walked away. The Russian Duma elections are a travesty. There is no opposition and the results are entirely fixed to the point that electronic voting is entirely monitored by government officials. Precinct personnel are carefully chosen. In any event, why would an authoritarian, brutal, murderous regime hold an election? This is not unlike passing a meaningless law by a quasi-democratic government – to create an illusion. Just before the election, Putin stressed that, in Russia, the people rule. There are some even in Russia that believe that. The overwhelming majority accept it because of fear, and finally there are the chosen who benefit from power and money. And then there is the outside world. Most people do not read or analyze. Many in the US and abroad, including Ukrainians, will believe that the Graham law is meant to help Ukraine. Similarly many in the world will believe that Russia is, to some degree, a democratic state. Some will even question why Ukraine is not holding a long-overdue election, which its Constitution prohibits during Martial Law. After all, Russia is involved in a war as well. It’s not the same war. At the end of the day, two facts will emerge. Ukraine will not benefit at all from the Graham legislation, and the elections in Russia will overwhelmingly favor the Putin regime and the war. This road from illusion to reality is pretty certain. Factors that may stand in the way include Ukraine’s continued indefatigability, weapons manufacturing prowess, and the midterm elections in the US. No, the people of Russia do not rule! But in America they will be given the opportunity. Even so the people of America have to be vigilant because today’s American president and Russia’s dictator are very much alike. The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post.