A US senator, top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez proposes sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and other senior government officials amid reports that Russia offered rewards to Taliban-linked fighters to target US soldiers in Afghanistan. 

Menendez introduced amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), The Hill reported.

“As more details continue to surface on this despicable Russian campaign, Donald Trump has proven once again that he is incapable of protecting our troops and our country. Congress must again step up and defend our people and institutions from Kremlin aggression,” Menendez said in a statement.

“It would be unconscionable if the Senate let this moment pass. The NDAA should not move forward without consideration of this amendment,” he noted. 

The proposal from Menendez would impose a visa ban and an asset freeze on Putin and Shoigu, as well as other Russian officials involved in the targeting of US troops.