The 10 Democrats who voted no, including nominal independent Bernie Sanders, comprise the “left” wing of the caucus. The purpose of the US-NATO war in Ukraine, to which the sanctions are an adjunct, is not to defend Ukraine from Russian conquest. The bill also extends economic sanctions on Iran for another five years, a provision added to gain the support of the White House. The sanctions on Russia are significant both as a political signal of US support for Ukraine and for their impact on the Russian economy. This could well result in armed confrontations between US and Russian military forces.