US Senate adopts resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine

Also a resolution urge to hold Russia responsible for alleged military crimes committed on the US territory

The Senate of the US Congress voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt a resolution condemning Russia’s actions regarding Ukraine and urging to hold Russia responsible for alleged military crimes committed on the US territory.

Qazet.az reports that the document condemns "the Russian Federation, President Vladimir Putin, members of the Russian Security Council, the Russian Armed Forces and Russian military commanders for committing flagrant acts of aggression and other atrocities rising to the level of crimes against humanity and war crimes against the people of Ukraine and others."

Moreover, the upper chamber of the US parliament "encourages member states to petition the ICC [International Criminal Court] and the ICJ [the International Court of Justice] to authorize any and all pending investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity," which the document claims were committed by Russia.

The resolution also "encourages the United States Government and partner nations to use their voice, vote and influence in international institutions in which they are members" to hold the Russian leadership "accountable for their sponsorship of the ongoing violence."

The resolution was put forward by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) and supported by a group of representatives from both parties. The document is not binding and only reflects the opinion of the upper chamber.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an early morning televised address on February 24 that he had launched a special military operation in Ukraine in response to a request for help from the leaders of the Donbass republics. He stressed that Moscow had no intention of occupying Ukrainian territories. Furthermore, the sole purpose of the operation, the leader emphasized, is the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian troops are not targeting Ukrainian cities, but are incapacitating Ukrainian military infrastructure, therefore there are no threats to the civilian population.