US official says too early to mull lifting anti-Russian sanctions

WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (PRIME) -- It is still too early to speak about lifting of the anti-Russian sanctions, and the U.S. seeks solidarity on the issue with the E.U., a representative of the U.S. Department of State told reporters in a briefing on Wednesday.

“We are looking for – President (Donald Trump) himself has said that it’s too early to talk about lifting sanctions, so we are looking for solidarity with Europe on these series of measures that we’ve agreed,” the representative said.

On February 10, E.U. foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said during her visit to the U.S. that Brussels is not sure of Washington’s dedication to keep the measure.

Also on Wednesday, three Republican and four Democrat members of the U.S. House of Representatives put forward a bill to install control of the Congress over any lifting of the U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia.

The bill stipulates that any easing or lifting of sanctions will need a 120-day revision period, and if the Congress introduces any kind of prohibitive resolution the easing won’t happen. The bill also makes relevant decrees signed former U.S. President Barack Obama laws, and lifting of any sanctions coordinated by the Congress should be done after approval of the Congress.

Any step to ease or lift the sanctions should be preceded by a letter of the president to the Congress which confirms that the Russian government stopped its alleged actions in Ukraine and alleged cyberattacks against Americans.

Relations between Russia and the West worsened in 2014 due to a military conflict in Ukraine. The West introduced sanctions against some Russian individuals and firms and against oil, gas, and banking sectors. In response, Russia limited food imports from some countries, including the U.S., the E.U., Canada, Australia, and Norway.

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