An executive order by President Donald Trump exempts Russia from sanctions enacted under a law he signed roughly a month earlier. The available account does not identify which sanctions are covered, describe the order’s terms or explain the reason for the change.
Ukraine became independent in 1991 after the Soviet Union dissolved. Three years later, the Budapest Memorandum set out Ukraine’s commitment to give up its inherited Soviet nuclear arsenal, which was the world’s third largest at the time, in exchange for recognition of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The presidents of Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom signed the agreement; France and China provided separate security assurances.
In 2008, NATO declared that Ukraine and Georgia would become members, but did not set a timetable. Russia invaded Georgia in August of that year. The invasion was followed by Russian occupation of about 20% of Georgia’s internationally recognized territory.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
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