U.S. Senate Democrats unveil Russia sanctions bill to bolster Ukraine

Russian grenade launcher operators take part in combat drills at the Kadamovsky range in the Rostov region, Russia December 14, 2021. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senate Democrats on Wednesday unveiled a bill to impose sweeping sanctions on top Russian government and military officials, including President Vladimir Putin, and key banking institutions if Moscow engages in hostilities against Ukraine.

The proposed legislation, backed by the White House, includes provisions to help bolster Ukraine’s security and encourages the United States to "consider all available and appropriate measures" to ensure the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline - a "tool of malign influence of the Russian Federation" - does not become operational.