July 21, 2026
Alianța, joined by six former U.S. ambassadors, has sent a letter to Senate leadership and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee urging swift passage of the pending bipartisan sanctions legislation targeting Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
The letter, addressed to Majority Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, calls the bill "a measured yet decisive step forward" that expands sanctions enforcement, closes evasion loopholes, and reinforces coordination among U.S. allies.
Why Alianța Is Speaking Out
Alianța is a Washington, DC-based organization dedicated to strengthening bilateral relations between Romania and the United States, promoting strategic cooperation, economic ties, and shared democratic values. Supporting coordinated allied responses to Russia's aggression against Ukraine falls squarely within that mission, particularly given the direct security implications for NATO's eastern flank and the broader region Romania anchors.
The Full Letter
Dear Senators:
Alianța, and the undersigned ambassadors, write to express strong support for the pending bipartisan sanctions legislation addressing Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Alianța is an organization dedicated to strengthening bilateral relations between Romania and the United States, promoting strategic cooperation, economic ties, and shared democratic values. In that capacity, Alianța works to support initiatives that uphold international norms and reinforce coordinated responses among allies.
Russia's unprovoked and unlawful invasion of Ukraine has been marked by widespread destruction, the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, and credible reports of atrocities against civilians, including indiscriminate attacks, forced displacement, abduction of children and other grave violations of international humanitarian law. These actions underscore the urgent necessity of sustained and strengthened economic measures to constrain the Kremlin's capacity to continue its aggression and to hold accountable those responsible for enabling and carrying out these acts.
The proposed bill reflects a thoughtful and necessary escalation of economic measures designed to constrain the resources enabling continued aggression, while balancing the complexities of global markets and allied relationships.
At its core, the legislation appropriately targets the primary revenue streams sustaining Russia's war effort. By expanding sanctions to include senior leadership, state-owned enterprises, financial institutions, and critical energy projects, the bill reinforces a comprehensive approach to economic pressure. Equally important, the inclusion of secondary sanctions addresses longstanding enforcement gaps by targeting foreign entities that facilitate sanctions evasion or materially support Russia's defense and energy sectors.
The bill's focus on anti-evasion measures, particularly efforts to disrupt the so-called "shadow fleet" used to bypass oil restrictions, demonstrates a practical recognition of how sanctions are being circumvented in real time. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms is essential to preserving the credibility and effectiveness of the broader sanctions regime.
The proposed tariff framework on major purchasers of Russian energy reflects an innovative, if complex, effort to reduce global demand. While concerns regarding market disruption and potential trade friction are valid, the bill's calibrated approach, including exemptions for countries with limited dependence or demonstrable efforts to reduce imports, strikes a reasonable balance between pressure and flexibility.
The legislation also carefully navigates the institutional balance between Congress and the Executive Branch. Mandatory sanctions provisions ensure consistency and resolve, while the inclusion of presidential waiver authority, subject to reporting and justification requirements, preserves necessary flexibility to respond to evolving geopolitical and economic conditions.
Importantly, the bill acknowledges and addresses broader concerns regarding effectiveness and potential sanctions fatigue. Russia has adapted in part to existing measures; this legislation responds by expanding the scope of pressure and focusing on third-country enablers. At the same time, it reflects awareness of the need to mitigate unintended consequences for global energy markets and U.S. allies.
Allied coordination remains critical. While some partners may express concern regarding extraterritorial effects or energy security, the bill's structure provides space for alignment and gradual adjustment, reinforcing a unified international response rather than undermining it.
In sum, this legislation represents a measured yet decisive step forward. It strengthens enforcement, expands the reach of sanctions to global networks supporting Russia, and balances firmness with necessary flexibility. Passage of this bill would send a clear signal of continued U.S. commitment to upholding international norms and countering aggression through coordinated economic means.
We respectfully urge the Senate to advance and pass this legislation.
Respectfully submitted,
Alianța Amb. Adrian Zuckerman (ret), Chmn.
Amb. Ronald Gidwitz (ret) Amb. James Gilmore (ret) Amb. Mark Gitenstein (ret) Amb. Kathleen Kavalec (ret) Amb. Jim Rosapepe (ret)
