From the Liveblog of
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Putin denounces latest sanctions passed by US Senate
Russian President Vladimir Putin slams fresh sanctions approved by the US Senate as coming “out of nowhere” and motivated by domestic politics and historical efforts by the West to “contain” Russia.
“We know that currently there is a bill in the US Senate regarding toughening sanctions. Why? Nothing extraordinary is happening. Why did they start to talk about sanctions again out of nowhere?” Putin says at his annual phone-in with Russian citizens.
“Of course this is evidence of the continuing domestic political battle in the US, but it is completely out of nowhere. If it wasn’t for Crimea, if it wasn’t for other problems, they would think of other reasons to contain Russia,” he says.
The US Senate voted to approve further sanctions against Russia over alleged election meddling yesterday.
— AFP
The Times of Israel Community.