By Aaron Miller-
Donald Trump has signed new sanctions against Russia, as he expressed strong reservations and objections to them.
The U.S president said the grounds for the sanctions were ”significantly flawed”, cakking some of the provisions ”unconstitutional” The bill cites cyberhacking and aggression in Ukraine and Syria, and also heaps new sanctions on North Korea and Iran. Lawmakers have insisted in limiting the power of the president from unilaterally lifting the sancions under the legislation. President Trump called some of the provisions ”clearly unconsttutional” and said the bill encroaches on the executives branch authority to negotiate”.
The bill signed behind close doors was put by congress in a manner neither the presesident nor the Secretary of State, Rox Tillerson, were happy with. The move had bi-partisan support and passed the Senate Congress by 98-.The U.S president had no choice in the matter, especially as Congress could have overidden any veto he attempted to make. The investigations over alleged links with Russia also would not have helped give him any sway among his colleagues who were hell bent on imposing the sanctions against Russia
An apologetic Trump said:” I am signing this bill for the sake of ntionl unity. It represents the will of the people see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States. We hope there will be reater cooperation between our two countries on major global issues so that these sanctions will no longer be necessary”. Russia retaliated in advance of the announced sanctions last Friday by ordering the expulsion of American diplomatic personnel and seized recreational property used by embassy staff.
CAUSE OF SANCTIONS
Apart from the high suspicion of cyberattack allegedly used in the 2016 elections, the sanctions are also in response to the annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea territory, and Russia’s endorsement of Ukraine and support for a rebellion by separatists in East Ukraine. Obama had previously placed sanctions against Russia when he suspended 35 Russian diplomats accused of spying and shut down two facilities
Vice president Pence said at a news conference in Georgia that Trump’s signature of the latest sanctions bill was a message to Putin’s government about destabilizing activities”. As always, our country prefers a constructive relationship with Russia based on cooperation and common interests, Pence stated.
“As always, our country prefers a constructive relationship with Russia based on coperation and common interest ,” Pence continued. “But the president and pur congress are unified in our message to Russia: A better relationship, the lifting of sanctions will require Russia to reverse the actions that caused sanctions to be imposed in the first place.”
The decision for the president to sign the sanctions confirms the power of congress, and the almost metaphorically subordinate role of every U.S president on practically any serious matter. The allegation of Russian cyberhacking influencing the elections of 2016, alongside promoted ‘fake news’, has never been conclusively proven, although U.K and U.S intelligence have publicly and directly accused Russia of the offence. On othe rissues like the anneation of Crimea and Russia’s support for rebel groups in Ukrane, and their support for the brutal Syrian government, Congress have a clear case to want to implement some disciplinary measures. What the future holds for American and Russian relations would largely depend on how Russia responds to the sanctions in the long run.