US Senate passes resolution in favor of war crimes probe against Vladimir Putin for Ukraine invasion

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was met with strong bipartisan condemnation among lawmakers in the US Congress. This week, the Senate passed the resolution backing a war crimes investigation against Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

The Hill reports the upper chamber unanimously passed a resolution supporting a war crimes probe into the Russian dictator following his offensive on Ukraine that has been unsuccessful so far. The resolution was led by Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham after negotiations with fellow GOP Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky. The resolution was also formally co-sponsored by over 20 senators, including Democratic Senators Chris Coons and Dick Durbin.

Graham later released a statement, saying that he was “excited” that the resolution was passed and that the US “should do all it can to aid this investigation by providing information and intelligence to the court in a timely manner.”

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also said the Senate joined together “to say Vladimir Putin cannot escape accountability for the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian people.”

“The legislation passing today, championed by Senator Graham, sends an unmistakable message that the US Senate stands with Ukraine, stands against Putin, and stands with all efforts to hold Putin accountable for the atrocities levied upon the Ukrainian people,” said Schumer.

The resolution will bring Senate support to condemning violence by the Russian military and encourages other countries to petition the International Criminal Court at The Hague to investigate the war crimes committed by the Russian military and Putin. Among the negotiations between the lawmakers was that the resolution is not an authorization or declaration of war against Russia and does not mean that US troops are to be deployed to Ukraine.

Previously, the Senate also passed a bill to make daylight savings time permanent nationwide. The Sunshine Protection Act unanimously passed the chamber, and will now need to pass the House before it is sent to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Should the bill become law, then it would mean that there would be no falling back every year by the fall season.

The bill has bipartisan support, with both Republican and Democratic senators sponsoring the legislation.