Trump signs sanctions on Russia

Nothing changes: Kremlin

US President Donald Trump reluctantly signed off on new sanctions against Russia yesterday, bowing to domestic pressure and putting efforts to improve ties with the Kremlin in peril, reports AFP. Trump signed the legislation behind closed doors, after failed White House efforts to scupper or water down the bill.

The Kremlin, however, said that Trump’s signing of new sanctions into law "doesn't change anything" as Moscow has already hit back at Washington over the latest moves.

Trump's reluctance was on full display in an angry signing statement, in which he called the legislation "significantly flawed."

"In its haste to pass this legislation, the Congress included a number of clearly unconstitutional provisions," he said, including curbs on the president's ability to "negotiate" with Russia.

"I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress," Trump claimed.

The legislation -- which also includes measures against North Korea and Iran -- targets the Russian energy sector, giving Washington the ability to sanction companies involved in developing Russian pipelines, and placing curbs on some Russian weapons exporters.

It also notably constrains Trump's ability to waive the penalties, a statement of mistrust from the Republican-controlled Congress, which remains unsettled by Trump's warm words for President Vladimir Putin.

The sanctions seek to penalize the Kremlin for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election -- which Trump won -- and Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Trump said he would "honor" some of the bill's provisions, but stopped short of saying it would be fully implemented. The White House said only that Trump would give Congress's "preferences" mere "careful and respectful consideration."

"I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States."

 

 

Trump signs sanctions on Russia

Nothing changes: Kremlin

US President Donald Trump reluctantly signed off on new sanctions against Russia yesterday, bowing to domestic pressure and putting efforts to improve ties with the Kremlin in peril, reports AFP. Trump signed the legislation behind closed doors, after failed White House efforts to scupper or water down the bill. The Kremlin, however, said that Trumps signing of new sanctions into law doesnt change anything as Moscow has already hit back at Washington over the latest moves. Trumps reluctance was on full display in an angry signing statement, in which he called the legislation significantly flawed. In its haste to pass this legislation, the Congress included a number of clearly unconstitutional provisions, he said, including curbs on the presidents ability to negotiate with Russia. I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress, Trump claimed. The legislation -- which also includes measures against North Korea and Iran -- targets the Russian energy sector, giving Washington the ability to sanction companies involved in developing Russian pipelines, and placing curbs on some Russian weapons exporters. It also notably constrains Trumps ability to waive the penalties, a statement of mistrust from the Republican-controlled Congress, which remains unsettled by Trumps warm words for President Vladimir Putin. The sanctions seek to penalize the Kremlin for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election -- which Trump won -- and Russias annexation of Crimea. Trump said he would honor some of the bills provisions, but stopped short of saying it would be fully implemented. The White House said only that Trump would give Congresss preferences mere careful and respectful consideration. I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States.