US Names Republican Senator Bob Corker Chairman of Senate Foreign Committee

WASHINGTON, January 7 (Sputnik) — Tennessee Republican Senator Bob Corker, who co-sponsored acts that call for arming of Ukraine and imposing further sanctions on Russia, was named the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to a statement released by the senator's office Wednesday.

"Tennesseans have given me the great privilege of serving in the United States Senate, and I am excited about the opportunity to lead the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a time when pragmatic U.S. leadership around the world matters more than ever to our nations security and prosperity," Corker said in the statement.

Corker's appointment to the committee, which reviews US legislation on sanctions, foreign aid and military sales to foreign governments, will be confirmed Thursday during a meeting of Senate Republicans.

According to the announcement, senator intends to conduct a thorough review of all State Department programs and practices, as well as find a better way to explain how strategic US engagement overseas improves country's economy and contributes to safety.

In 2014 Corker became the leading co-sponsor of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act. The legislation authorized US President Barack Obama to provide weapons to Kiev and impose sanctions on Russia over its alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

He was also among the co-sponsors of the Russian Aggression Prevention Act, which not only allowed further sanctions on Russia, but called to arm Kiev and accelerate the fortification of missile defenses in Europe.