Eleven lawmakers formally asked Secretary of State John Kerry Monday to immediately halt trade of military equipment with Russia, including the acquisition of 22 Mi-17 helicopters that are part of assistance to Afghanistan.
“We believe the United States must show leadership by terminating all defense contracts with Russia and ask that you strongly encourage our NATO allies and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) participating states to take similar action,” the lawmakers said. 
The letter was signed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Daniel Coats (R-Ind.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), David Vitter (R-La.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas).
Mi-17s are developed by the Russian-owned company Rosoboronexport. As Defense Daily was told Friday, the letter does not touch on the Russian-made RD-180 rocket engine used in U.S. national security space launches. A Blumenthal spokeswoman did not return requests for comment.
The lawmakers want the trade ban due to what they call Russia’s “illegal annexation” of Crimea and its violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. The Army manages the program buying Mi-17 helicopters for the Afghan national security forces, which are expected to take over national security tasks once U.S. forces are expected to leave at the end of 2014.
Army Lt. Gen. Michael Williamson, military deputy and director, Army Acquisition Corps office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, said last week during a Senate hearing the United States has taken delivery of nine Mi-17s with still another 20-23 left to be delivered. Williamson said it would cost “upward of $100 million” to halt deliveries of the helicopters, given some payments have been made. Blumenthal said, in response, “let the Russians try to collect from us.” (Defense Daily, April 9).