US Lawmakers to Curb Pentagon’s Military Cooperation with Russia

Local Editor

The US House of Representatives wants to cut the Pentagon's military-to-military cooperation with Russia. The provisions included in a $618.7 billion war budget bill impose strict conditions for the US military on working with its Russian counterparts.

The National "Defense" Authorization Act [NDAA], which sets policy for the Department of War for the next year, has been approved by a vote of 375-34.

The measure would allocate $618.7 billion, including extra $3.2 billion on top of what President Obama requested for the Pentagon, was agreed after months of heated debates.

Tucked in the middle of the legislation is a whole section dedicated to "matters relating" to Russia, more than lawmakers devoted to Daesh [ISIS/ISIL], NATO or cooperation with Europe combined.

The bill lays out a set of conditions, which the Department of War would have to abide by in case it wants or has to deal with Russia.

Specifically, the bill bans the Pentagon from using Congress-approved funds "for bilateral military-to-military cooperation between the governments of the United States and Russia" unless the War Department proves to Capitol Hill that Moscow "ceased its occupation of Ukrainian territory and its aggressive activities that threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization."

The Department would also have to "certify" to Congress that Russia "is abiding by the terms of and taking steps in support of the Minsk Protocols regarding a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine."

However, the lawmakers did not entirely close the door to military cooperation with Moscow.

The same section of the Act "permits a waiver under specified conditions."

While it does not spell out those exact conditions, one of the following sections implies America's "national interest."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team