Democrat Wyden presses Bessent to commit to US sanctions on Russia
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaks during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the 2025 budget on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 21, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo
WASHINGTON - The top Senate Finance Committee Democrat pressed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday to commit to enforcing Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia and to clarify comments about Russia rejoining an international bank payments network.
In a letter to Bessent, Senator Ron Wyden also sought answers on how the U.S.-Ukraine critical minerals deal and investment agreement would help improve Ukraine's post-war security and not benefit any entity or country that aided Russia's war effort.
Wyden cited Bessent's comments during his confirmation hearing that he was prepared to strengthen Russian sanctions, including on oil majors, if Trump requested this to help end the Ukraine war, which Bessent called "one of the greatest tragedies of my adult life."
"I ask that you reaffirm your commitment to stringently enforce these sanctions and answer questions about how you envision other measures pursued by this administration, including agreements with Ukraine, potentially working in conjunction with these sanctions," Wyden wrote.
The Oregon Democrat, who has opposed most of Trump's trade and tax agenda advanced by Bessent, asked the Treasury chief to explain comments he made to Fox News Channel in which he did not rule out bringing Russia back into the SWIFT international banking network. Russia was expelled from the payments messaging system after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
"Would Treasury allow Russian banks to rejoin SWIFT absent a comprehensive peace agreement with Ukraine that fully addresses Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine?" Wyden asked in a series of questions for Bessent to answer.
Wyden also asked whether Bessent would continue the U.S. Treasury's implementation of commitments by G7 leaders to curtail Russia's use of the international financial system to support its war against Ukraine.
A Treasury spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wyden's letter. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
21 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Sandal scandal: Prada credits new design's Indian legacy amid furore
Luxury fashion powerhouse Prada has acknowledged the ancient Indian roots of its new sandal design. PHOTO: AFP NEW DEHLI/MILAN - Luxury fashion powerhouse Prada has acknowledged the ancient Indian roots of its new sandal design after the debut of the open-toe footwear sparked a furore among Indian artisans and politicians thousands of miles from the catwalk in Italy. Images from Prada's fashion show in Milan last weekend showed models wearing leather sandals with a braided design that resembled handmade Kolhapuri slippers with designs dating back to the 12th century. A wave of criticism in the media and from lawmakers followed over the Italian brand's lack of public acknowledgement of the Indian sandal design, which is named after a city in the western state of Maharashtra. Mr Lorenzo Bertelli, son of Prada's owners, responded to the sandal scandal in a letter to a trade group on June 27 recognising their Indian heritage. 'We acknowledge that the sandals... are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage,' Mr Bertelli, Prada's head of corporate social responsibility, wrote in the letter to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, seen by Reuters. The sandals are at an early stage of design and it is not certain they will be commercialised, but Prada is open to a 'dialogue for meaningful exchange with local Indian artisans' and will arrange follow-up meetings, he wrote. A Prada spokesperson issued a statement acknowledging the sandal's inspiration from India, adding the company has 'always celebrated craftsmanship, heritage and design traditions'. Prada products are beyond the reach of most Indians. Its men's leather sandals retail for US$844 (S$1,077) and up, while the Kolhapuri slippers, sold in Indian shops and street markets, start at about US$12. India's luxury market is small but growing fast, with rising numbers of rich people buying Louis Vuitton bags, Lamborghini cars, luxury homes and watches. Conversely, Indian culture and crafts are increasingly finding their way into global brand designs. High-end jeweller Bulgari offers a US$16,000 Mangalsutra necklace inspired by a chain traditionally worn by married women. Bertelli's homage to Indian design was sent in a response to a complaint from the head of the trade group that represents 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, as the online uproar gathered momentum. 'From the dusty lanes of Kolhapur to the glitzy runways of Milan... will the world finally give credit where it's due?' India's DNA News posted on X. Mr Sambhaji Chhatrapati from the Kolhapur Royal family told Reuters by phone he was upset that craftsmen had not been acknowledged for the 'history and heritage of 150 years'. Kolhapur-based businessman Dileep More, however, said images of the Prada sandal were bringing cheer to some artisans as they show their traditional product going global. 'They are happy that someone is recognising their work,' he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
21 minutes ago
- Straits Times
UK distances new spy chief from 'Nazi' grandfather
Ms Blaise Metreweli, a career intelligence officer, is currently MI6's head of technology, known as "Q". PHOTOS: MI6, REUTERS LONDON - The British government has distanced the incoming head of its foreign intelligence service from her grandfather following reports he was a Nazi spy known as 'the butcher'. Ms Blaise Metreweli will in the autumn become the first woman to lead MI6 in its 116-year-old history, the British government announced earlier this month. The Daily Mail newspaper reported this week that her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski defected from the Soviet Union's Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernigiv region of modern-day Ukraine. The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as 'the Butcher' or 'Agent No 30' by Wehrmacht commanders. 'Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather,' a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement. 'Blaise's ancestry is characterised by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with eastern European heritage, only partially understood. 'It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today's hostile states, as the next chief of MI6.' The Daily Mail said Mr Dobrowolski had a 50,000 ruble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the 'worst enemy of the Ukrainian people'. He also sent letters to superiors saying he 'personally' took part 'in the extermination of the Jews', the newspaper added. The head of MI6 is the only publicly named member of the organisation and reports directly to the foreign minister. Ms Metreweli, 47, will be the 18th head of MI6. Like her predecessors she will be referred to as 'C', not 'M' as the chief is called in the James Bond film franchise. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Israel says missile launched by Yemen's Houthis 'most likely' intercepted
Israel says missile launched by Yemen's Houthis 'most likely' intercepted The Israeli army said on Saturday that a missile fired from Yemen towards Israeli territory had been "most likely successfully intercepted", while Yemen's Houthi forces claimed responsibility for the launch. Israel has threatened Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement - which has been attacking Israel in what it says is solidarity with Gaza - with a naval and air blockade if its attacks on Israel persist. The Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group was responsible for Saturday's attack, adding that it fired a missile towards the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. Since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have been firing at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade. Most of the dozens of missiles and drones they have launched have been intercepted or fallen short. Israel has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
