Russia Seizes US Property in Retaliation over Sanctions
A furious Vladimir Putin, widely regarded as the most powerful man in the world, has given the order to seize two US diplomatic properties in Russia. The two properties in question are a US storage facility and a recreational building outside of the US Embassy in Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has also demanded that the US cut its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455, the same number Russia has in the United States. America has until 1 September to comply with the order.
The orders come in retaliation to an announcement that the US Senate approved sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea on Thursday night. The bill is now on President Donald Trump’s desk for him to either approve, or veto.
The White House announced late Friday night that Trump would sign the bill.
The sanctions are in response to Russia’s suspected tampering in the 2016 US Elections, in favour of Trump, who narrowly won the election, and also to punish Russia for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria. The sanctions target alleged corrupt officials, human rights abusers and the Russian economy in terms of weapons sales and energy exports.
There’s been wide speculation that Trump would ease the sanctions placed on Russia by the Obama administration. If he signs this bill, however, he would be barred from waiving or easing the sanctions, without the agreement of US Congress.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has accused the US of trying to put itself at an economic advantage, saying, “Despite constant attacks from Washington we have behaved responsibly and reservedly, having ignored obvious provocations thus far. But recent events mean that certain circles in the United States opted for Russophobia and open confrontation with our country.”
Putin weighed in on the matter himself, saying that it is “impossible to tolerate constant boorishness” from the US.
Several European countries, including Germany, are unhappy with the proposed sanctions, because they would allow the US to punish companies working on pipelines for Russia, by limiting their access to US banks.
Speaking of Russia’s retaliation, Russian legislator Aleksei Pushkov, said, “There is a high probability that this will not be the end of it.”
