Russia has said they are seizing two diplomatic properties, as well as demanding that the U.S. cut hundreds of diplomatic staff following the passing of a new U.S. bill that targets Russia, North Korea and Iran, by putting sanctions on those countries.
The bill was backed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives with 419 votes for and 3 against, the Senate voted similarly with 98 votes for and 2 against.
It is now up to President Trump to approve it, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent a statement late yesterday saying that the President intends to sign the bill.
The bill dashes the President’s hope to improve U.S.-Russian relations and Putin has accused the U.S. of “insolence.” It is possible Trump may veto the bill following his ‘warm’ discussions with the Russian President at the G20 summit in Germany earlier this month, though the bill is expected to garner enough support from both sides to override a veto if needs be. A veto decision would spark a major backlash, including some from his own party, due to the already existing scandal involving Russia and his administration.
The bill also includes a provision that allows Congress to stop any effort by Trump to ease existing sanctions on Russia.
Earlier on Thursday, Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters: “I would guess that he (Trump) will sign it.”
Before Barrack Obama left office, he ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and the seizure of two diplomatic compounds, in retaliation of Russia meddling in the 2016 Presidential Election to sway it in Trump’s favor. Allegedly, the Russian government were told that the Trump administration would reverse this order.
Obviously, this didn’t happen; in fact, the opposite did. A Russian spokeswoman has said that the U.S. has stopped granting visas to Russian diplomats the foreign ministry wants to send in place of those expelled.
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador John Tefft met with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov where Ryabkov notified him of the retaliation measures and Tefft expressed his ‘strong disappointment and protest.’
Senator John McCain said before the vote on yesterday’s bill: “The United States of America needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on our democracy.”
Despite Trump’s want for stronger American-Russian relations, with the continuous scandal surrounding election interference, it seems inevitable that Democrats and Republicans alike will crack down with even tougher sanctions against Russia and will likely be met with similar actions.
