U.S. Senate clears the way for new sanctions against Russia

The US Senate overwhelmingly decided in favor of new sanctions against Russia. Thus, according to the Senate, Russia should be punished for alleged interference in the US elections, the annexation of the Crimean peninsula and support for the government in Damascus in Syria.

In order to become law, the bill must be signed by Trump. Supporters of these measures have shown that they have the ability to overturn the presidential veto if necessary due to the support of various parties. In addition, President Donald Trump can lift existing sanctions and only with the approval of Congress.

The Senate also voted to grant full sanction to Russia in a decree issued by former President Obama in late December as one of the most recent acts to expel 35 Russian diplomats. He based this on the alleged interference of cyber attacks in the American election campaign in favor of Trump.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a question and answer session with citizens that the economic crisis is over. “What does the objective data show us? They show that the downturn in the Russian economy is behind us. " He also noted that if the sanctions were not justified by Crimea, the United States would have found another reason.