Washington: Russia has reacted to new sanctions approved by the US House of Representatives saying it takes the relations between the two countries "into uncharted waters".
The House approved a sweeping package of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday US time, clearing a key hurdle in Congress' effort long opposed by the Trump administration, to punish Moscow for its aggression toward its neighbours and interference in last year's US presidential election.
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:14
US lawmakers reach deal on Russia ...
US lawmakers reach deal on Russia sanctions bill
The legislation allows for new sanctions against Russia, as well as Iran and North Korea.
Up Next
John McCain's 'no' vote kills Senate healthcare bill
- Video duration
- 01:06
- Video duration
- 01:06
John McCain's 'no' vote kills Senate ...
John McCain's 'no' vote kills Senate healthcare bill
US Senate Republicans fail to dismantle Obamacare, falling short on a major campaign promise from President Donald Trump.
Up Next
Search for the lost continent of Zealandia
- Video duration
- 01:26
- Video duration
- 01:26
Search for the lost continent of Zealandia
Search for the lost continent of Zealandia
An expedition led by the Australian National University will set out to solve the mysteries of Zealandia, believed by some to be the the world's 8th continent.
Up Next
Women accused of Kim Jong-nam's murder face court
- Video duration
- 01:40
- Video duration
- 01:40
Women accused of Kim Jong-nam's murder ...
Women accused of Kim Jong-nam's murder face court
Wearing bulletproof jackets and under police guard, two women accused of assassinating the North Korean dictator's half brother were led into Malaysia's High Court.
Up Next
North Korean hackers look to turn a profit
- Video duration
- 01:24
- Video duration
- 01:24
North Korean hackers look to turn a profit
North Korean hackers look to turn a profit
A new study claims North Korean hackers are targeting banks more than ever before. It's one way they're trying to funnel cash to the sanction-crippled regime.
Up Next
First human embryos edited in US
- Video duration
- 00:44
- Video duration
- 00:44
First human embryos edited in US
First human embryos edited in US
In a controversial step toward someday helping babies avoid inherited diseases, scientists in the US have edited the genes of human embryos.
Up Next
Republicans threaten to vote 'no' on healthcare
- Video duration
- 01:24
- Video duration
- 01:24
Republicans threaten to vote 'no' on ...
Republicans threaten to vote 'no' on healthcare
Senators Lindsey Graham, John McCain and Ron Johnson warned they would not vote for a slimmed-down Obamacare repeal bill without guarantees that the House of Representatives will go into negotiations with the Senate on the measure.
Up Next
US Senate passes Russian sanctions bill
- Video duration
- 00:58
- Video duration
- 00:58
US Senate passes Russian sanctions bill
US Senate passes Russian sanctions bill
President Donald Trump will have to decide whether to veto or sign the bill, which passed both houses with large majorities.
US lawmakers reach deal on Russia sanctions bill
The legislation allows for new sanctions against Russia, as well as Iran and North Korea.
The landslide vote, 419-3, brings President Donald Trump one step closer to a choice he has strained to avoid: whether to sign legislation that is embraced by Republicans in both the House and the Senate but which undercuts his attempts to ratchet down tensions with Moscow, or to veto the bill even as Russia-related scandal consumes his administration.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by the country's Interfax news agency on Wednesday saying the sanctions against Russia leave no room to improve ties between Moscow and Washington in the near future.
The sanctions would sharply limit Trump's ability to lift or suspend sanctions. It also includes sanctions against Iran and North Korea, two countries the administration has been more eager to hold to account.
It still must be taken up by the Senate before being sent to the president's desk. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, has not said whether that might happen before the August recess.
The Senate supported a similar bill nearly unanimously last month, but it only punished Russia and Iran.
"Left unchecked, Russia is sure to continue its aggression," said Republican Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He said it was "well past time that we forcefully respond" to the conduct of all three countries.
Speaker Paul Ryan cheered the passage of "one of the most expansive sanctions packages in history".
Initially, Trump administration officials signalled that the President would sign the measure, arguing that the House strengthened it through some small changes. But on Monday, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a White House spokeswoman, was more equivocal, saying Trump would "study that legislation and see what the final product looks like".
Though the sanctions had stalled in the House amid technical concerns and lobbying from a White House that hoped to chart a different course in its Russia relationship, leaders from both parties reached an agreement late last week to advance the measure. Senate Democrats have cheered the deal; some key Republicans, including Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, have been more reserved.
Eliot Engel of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, called the bill "a strong, direct response to Vladimir Putin's efforts to undermine American democracy".
He said he hoped the measure would not face further delays in the Senate, a prospect that Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, seemed eager to escape.
"It's critical the Senate act promptly on this legislation," he said, calling for passage before lawmakers leave for recess.
New York Times
3 comments
New User? Sign up