US Senator Blumenthal blasts Trump for lifting sanctions on Russia
Photo: US Senator Richard Blumenthal (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who worked with Lindsey Graham to draft the tough sanctions bill against Russia, sharply criticizes US President Donald Trump for his refusal to impose these restrictions.
The Senator notes that the White House's decision runs counter to the will of the majority of Americans and their representatives in the US Congress.
"Donald Trump confirms again that he stands on the side of a bloodthirsty thug & the enablers of Russia's war machine & against the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, & our European allies," Blumenthal emphasizes.
He adds that Trump's decision has nothing to do with US national security and is solely motivated by his pandering to Putin.
"I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in condemning this craven, cowardly action" the Democrat says.
Trump suspends sanctions against Russia
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the sanctions against Russia—the sweeping tariffs, restrictions, and sanctions promoted by the late Senator Lindsey Graham for the purchase of Russian energy resources.
Trump invoked a provision to waive the sanctions under a law that Lindsey Graham had championed as a way to punish Russia for the war in Ukraine. That law also provided for the expansion of sanctions against Iran.
The directive formally imposes tariffs but suspends their enforcement. This means that Trump can impose them at a later time if he chooses.
