The US “will not consider sanctions against Russia.” First, the meeting between Trump and Putin
The politician told reporters that the White House wants to check whether the meeting with Putin in Budapest will be fruitful. — If not, I still think that the sanctions bill is a tool of the president that he can use against the Russians to force them to talk (on peace in Ukraine – PAP). But at least for now we are stopping, said the politician, quoted by a reporter from the Punchbowl News portal covering the American Congress.
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Why isn't the US Senate considering sanctions against Russia?
When is Trump and Putin scheduled to meet?
What are the sanctions for the project that is in the freezer?
What did Trump say about the need for sanctions?
Last week, Thune announced that “the time has come” to adopt the draft sanctions that have been delayed for six months.
Donald Trump on sanctions: this may not be a good time
On Thursday, Trump claimed that Thune said so because he had not yet heard about the phone call he had with Putin that day. He added that sanctions may prove unnecessary to reach peace.
— I will talk to him (Thune – PAP) and Speaker (of the House of Representatives) Mike Johnson. I will talk to them a little later and tell them about it and we will make the right decision. I'm not against anything. I'm just saying that this may not be the ideal moment (for sanctions – PAP). This may happen in a week or two, the president explained.
The pause is expected to last until Trump meets Putin in Budapest. The date of this meeting has not been announced yet, but Trump announced that it would take place within two weeks.
The project, despite the support of over 80 percent. senators, is stuck in the “freezer” because Republicans are waiting for the consent of the White House. It provides for the imposition of sanctions on a number of entities in Russia's banking and energy sectors and its “shadow fleet”, as well as a 500 percent tariffs on countries importing Russian crude oil and natural gas.
