U.S. Senate OKs expansion of sanctions against Russia

By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to expand the anti-Russian sanctions, RIA Novosti reported.

The new measures are presented in the form of an amendment to the draft law on the application of sanctions against Iran. Besides, the document contains a provision that does not allow President Donald Trump to weaken or cancel the measures taken without the approval of the Congress.

The proposed sanctions involve a reduction of the maximum period for market financing of Russian banks to 14 days, and companies in the oil and gas sector - to 30 days.

In addition, within 180 days after the introduction of amendments, the head of the U.S. Treasury Department must submit a report on the possible consequences of extending sanctions on Russia's sovereign debt to the Congress.

The bill passed to the House of Representatives, after which, if approved, it will be sent to the Head of the White House for signing.

Earlier Moscow said that the plans of the American senators threaten to turn into a new "sanctions peak."

Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary of the Russian president, stressed that "this is not our choice."

The question of new Russian sanctions has been raised by a number of senators in both parties after the intelligence community announced in January its conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election on behalf of President Donald Trump.

The White House has been silent on the proposal and administration officials have been unclear on what the official position is. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in April that the current Russian sanctions would “remain” until the country gives up control of the Crimean peninsula. 

Earlier, Trump has indicated he is skeptical about additional sanctions and has been dismissive about the role of Russian interference in the U.S. elections.