WORLD | America
President Donald Trump signs on new, ‘flawed’ sanctions against Russia
Washington, Aug. 2: US President Donald Trump reluctantly signed off on new sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, bowing to domestic pressure and putting efforts to improve ties with the Kremlin on ice.
Mr Trump signed the legislation behind closed doors and away from the cameras, after failed efforts to scupper or water down the bill.
Mr 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 conduct foreign policy.
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 eIt 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 penalise the Kremlin for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election — which Mr Trump won — and Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
Mr 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.”