Slotkin Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Investigate China’s Support for Russia Amid War Against Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) introduced the bipartisan DICTATOR Act, a bill to investigate whether China is helping Russia evade sanctions as the war against Ukraine rages on. Slotkin is leading the bill with Republican U.S. Rep. Young Kim (CA-39).

With Putin's regime facing continued isolation from the West and a collapsing economy due to a growing wave of sanctions, Russia has cozied up to China as a source of economic assistance. The Direct Investigations on China, Take Action to Oppose Russia (DICTATOR) Act, would help shed light on whether the government of, or entities associated with, the People's Republic of China (PRC) are illegally helping Russia evade sanctions imposed by the U.S. and our allies.

"As Russia's unprovoked attack against Ukraine rages on, we need to continue working with our allies and partners to economically punish and isolate the Putin regime through sanctions and property seizure, but we need those punishments to stick," Slotkin said. "The way Russia has cozied up to the Chinese in recent months is concerning, and we need to make sure China isn't helping Putin and his cronies evade sanctions and, by extension, supporting this appalling, violent invasion of a sovereign country. The DICTATOR Act will make sure that the U.S. investigates whether Beijing is assisting Moscow and develops a clear strategy to block the Chinese government from helping Putin avoid the consequences of his actions."

"While the United States, NATO allies and other nations have taken steps to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and to provide support to the Ukrainian people as they defend their freedoms, silence and deference from the People's Republic of China toward the Russian Federation cannot be ignored," said Kim. "In today's connected world, a threat to freedom anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere. The DICTATOR Act will ensure the U.S. sends a clear message to the PRC and CCP that any efforts to assist Russia in evading U.S.-imposed sanctions will not be tolerated and will be met with severe costs. As authoritarian regimes seek to spread influence and destroy any glimpse of freedom in their path, the United States must demonstrate leadership, unity and strength."

Last week, Slotkin – a former CIA analyst and senior Pentagon official whose portfolio at the Department of Defense included Russia – introduced the American Energy for Europe Act, which would leverage American manufacturing to help wean Europe off its reliance on Russian oil and gas. She also co-led the Ukraine Lend-Lease Act to help expedite the shipment of military aid from the U.S. to the Ukrainian military to help repel Russia's invasion.

The DICTATOR Act would:

• Require the Secretary of State and other U.S. officials to submit a report and brief to Congress on whether the government of, or entities associated with, the PRC have helped Russia evade sanctions imposed on Putin's regime; and
• Direct the State Department to develop a strategy to block future efforts by the PRC or associated entities to illegally help Russia evade those sanctions.

The full text of the bill is available HERE.