U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Congress Thursday for creating new tensions with Russia by approving sanctions against Moscow, and the Kremlin agreed the penalties would thwart improved relations.
"Our relationship with Russia is at an all-time & very dangerous low," Trump said on his Twitter account, overlooking the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis a half century ago that brought the world to the brink of nuclear warfare.
"You can thank Congress," he said, describing lawmakers as "the same people that can't even give us HCare!", referring to the Senate's failure last week to support his effort to dismantle the country's health care law championed by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama.
Congress overwhelmingly voted for the sanctions and Trump, unwilling to risk having lawmakers override a veto, signed the legislation on Wednesday.
It punishes Moscow for its interference in the 2016 U.S. election aimed at helping Trump win the White House. But Trump described the legislation as "significantly flawed,” with "clearly unconstitutional provisions" that limited his right to conduct foreign affairs as he sees fit.
In his own series of tweets, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Trump's "signing of the package of new Russia sanctions ends hopes for improving our relations."
He added, "The Trump administration has shown its total weakness by handing over executive power to Congress in the most humiliating way. The US establishment fully outwitted Trump. The President is not happy about the sanctions, yet he could not but sign the bill."
The law gives Congress 30 days to review any attempt by Trump, who has sought closer relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, to ease sanctions against Russia, including Obama's closure of two Russian compounds in the U.S. and expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats for its meddling in the election. Putin retaliated in recent days by closing a U.S. recreational site and a warehouse and ordering the United States to cut 755 diplomats and staff workers, many of them Russians, from its embassy and consulates in Russia.
The law also sets new restrictions on U.S. companies working with Russian gas and oil companies and codifies Obama's sanctions.
One of Trump's frequent critics, Republican Senator John McCain, laid the blame for the deteriorating U.S.-Russia relationship on Putin.
"Our relationship w/ Russia is at dangerous low," McCain said in a tweet. "You can thank Putin for attacking our democracy, invading neighbors & threatening our allies."
One of Trump's frequent critics, Republican Senator John McCain, laid the blame for the deteriorating U.S.-Russia relationship on Putin.
"Our relationship w/ Russia is at dangerous low," McCain said in a tweet. "You can thank Putin for attacking our democracy, invading neighbors & threatening our allies."
Trump has been largely dismissive of numerous investigations in Washington into the Russian meddling and accusations that his aides colluded with Moscow, calling them a "witch hunt" and an excuse by Democrats to explain his upset win over his Democratic challenger, Hillary Clinton. Numerous congressional investigations are underway, as is a criminal probe being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In other Twitter remarks Thursday, Trump lauded the U.S. economy under his watch, and said that a Sports Illustrated report that he called the White House "a real dump" compared to his own golf course resorts was "totally untrue."
"I love the White House, one of the most beautiful buildings (homes) I have ever seen," Trump said.
On the U.S. economy, the world's largest, Trump said, "Business is looking better than ever with business enthusiasm at record levels. Stock Market at an all-time high. That doesn't just happen!"
He said the American economy was advancing with his policies.
"I am continuing to get rid of costly and unnecessary regulations," he said. "Much work left to do but effect will be great! Business & jobs will grow."
