Russia deliberately targeting US businesses in Ukraine, senator says
US Senator Richard Blumenthal (photo: Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Russia is deliberately and intentionally targeting American businesses in Ukraine. Half of them have suffered significant strikes by Russian missiles or drones, US Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said at a press conference in Kyiv, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
"Americans should be outraged that Vladimir Putin is deliberately and intentionally targeting American businesses. Make no mistake: these are not missiles or drones that accidentally went off course. These attacks are intentional and repeated. They have caused millions of dollars in damage and constitute a gross violation of international law, not to mention basic moral standards," the senator said.
He expressed hope that American businesses would more strongly appeal to President Donald Trump and Congress to demonstrate US strength in order to force Putin to the negotiating table and bring an end to this war.
Asked how important the issue of supporting Ukraine could be during the upcoming US midterm elections and whether Washington could resume financial assistance to Kyiv if the Democrats win, Blumenthal predicted that the Democrats would manage to secure a majority in the House of Representatives.
"My personal prediction is that Democrats will win a majority in the House of Representatives. And frankly, as a Democrat, I also have hopes for the Senate," the senator added.
Republicans currently hold majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congressional midterm elections will be held in the United States in November, with the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate up for reelection.
Russian strikes on American businesses
This year, Russia began systematically attacking facilities belonging to major American corporations in Ukraine, but the administration of US President Donald Trump has so far not effectively responded to these incidents.
In particular, on August 23, the Russian military struck a factory belonging to American corporation Mondelez International in Trostianets, Sumy region. Two drone strikes damaged the factory premises and injured several employees, with no fatalities reported.
Earlier this year, Russia had already struck the same Mondelez factory in Trostianets. At the time, a missile damaged one of the production buildings, with no casualties reported.
