Donald Trump is ready to sign a bill imposing tough sanctions against Russia, which Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has been pushing for several months, writes Politico citing a source in the US president's administration. But only if changes are made to it, granting him the right to lift these restrictions without Congress's consent.
A senior administration official stated that "conceptually there is openness" to the bill on 500% tariffs against buyers of Russian oil and uranium, but the legislation must preserve what the White House considers the president's exclusive authority over US foreign policy.
"In the current version, the president's foreign policy decisions would be subject to micromanagement by Congress through a joint approval procedure. This is unacceptable for us. The administration will not be subjected to micromanagement by Congress on the president's foreign policy matters. The bill needs full waiver rights from sanctions," a representative of the administration told Politico.
The bill's initiator, Graham, said that congressmen are ready to make concessions to the president, give him more powers, and amend the document.
The publication notes that Trump's willingness to discuss new sanctions demonstrates his growing disappointment with Vladimir Putin. One of the Republicans close to the White House said that the US president is building a reputation as a person "capable of negotiating anything, anywhere, and Putin has made him look foolish".
Meanwhile, as reported by Reuters, the US has resumed deliveries of certain types of weapons to Ukraine. Thus, deliveries of 155mm artillery shells and GMLRS rockets for HIMARS have begun.
The agency's interlocutors did not specify how many munitions were sent and whether the delivery has been completed. It remains unclear whether other types of weapons, including Patriot air defense systems, which are critically needed by Ukraine amid intensifying Russian attacks, will be sent.