US President Donald Trump, in a conversation with journalists, admitted that Washington would not impose new sanctions against Moscow now.
"I'm not against anything. I'm just saying that maybe this is not the right moment," he said, recalling that he had recently spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump called the conversation productive.
At the same time, he pointed out that the imposition of sanctions "remains one of the options" and "may happen in a week or two." Trump clarified that he would later talk with Congressmen Mike Johnson and John Tune about the bill, which implies tougher measures against Moscow. The author of the project was Senator Lindsey Graham*. Tune said on October 16 that the document would be reviewed within the next 30 days.
The US president admitted that he could meet with Putin in two weeks, the summit will be held in Budapest. This will be the second face-to-face meeting of the presidents after the Republican's return to the White House (the first was held on August 15 in Alaska). On October 17, Trump will meet with Vladimir Zelensky.
The Kremlin has repeatedly said that the Russian economy has acquired a "certain immunity" to sanctions. Moscow considers the restrictions illegal and demands their cancellation, RBC reminds.
*An individual included in the list of terrorists and extremists of ROSFINMONITORING