Resentful Trump signs ‘seriously flawed’ sanctions against Russia
● President warns of ‘all-time and very dangerous low’ in Moscow relations
Dealt a striking congressional rebuke, Donald Trump grudgingly signed what he called a “seriously flawed” package of sanctions against russia, bowing to resistance to his push for warmer ties with Moscow.
Trump signed the most significant piece of legislation of his presidency with no public event. He coupled it with a written statement, resentful in tone, that accused Congress of overstepping its constitutional limits, impeding his ability to negotiate with foreign countries and lacking any ability to strike deals.
“Congress could not even negotiate a health care bill after seven years of talking,” he said scornfully of the recent failure to repeal former president Barack Obama’s health care law as he and other Republicans have promised for years. “As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress.”
Still, he said, “despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity”.
It was powerful evidence of the roadblock Congress has erected to Mr Trump’s efforts to reset relations with Russia at a time when federal investigators are probing Moscow’s interference in the US presidential election and possible collusion by the Trump campaign.
The president continued his criticism yesterday, stating on Twitter: “Our relationship with Russia is at an all-time and very dangerous low. You can thank Congress...”
Russia reacted angrily to the sanctions. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the package “ends hopes for improving our relations with the new US administration”.
He said the measures showed Mr Trump’s “total weakness” and that he had been humiliated by Congress. A Kremlin spokesman said: “Russia will defend and protect its interests.”
The legislation is aimed at penalising Moscow for electoral interference and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad.
It bars Mr Trump from waiving the Russia sanctions without first securing approval from Congress and also imposes new financial sanctions on Iran and North Korea.
Mr Trump said the law would “punish and deter bad behaviour” by the governments of Iran and North Korea as well as enhance sanctions on Moscow. However, he made no secret of his distaste for what the bill does to his ability to govern.
“The bill remains seriously flawed, particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch’s authority to negotiate,” he said.
He blasted the federal investigation as a “witchhunt”.
Senator John Mccain called the president’s concerns over the bill misplaced.
He said: “Vladimir Putin and his regime must pay a real price for attacking our democracy, violating human rights, occupying Crimea and destabilising Ukraine.”