The US Congress could soon tighten anti-Russian sanctions if progress is not made in talks to peacefully resolve the conflict in Ukraine, and the US administration has warned Russia about this, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS News.
“We asked Congress [to give us some time to see if we can make some progress in our negotiations. But we also spoke very clearly with the Russian side six or seven weeks ago, we told them that these efforts in Congress are underway“, said the head of US diplomacy.
“We have warned Russia repeatedly for almost two months that this will happen if there is no progress. So I think that's already becoming a reality," Rubio added.
He stressed that the decision will be made by Congress. The Secretary of State added that the initiative has significant support in both chambers of the US legislature. "These are efforts that we cannot stop and we do not control. Ultimately, Congress, and particularly Republicans in the House and Senate, tried to give the president space and time to reach an agreement," the head of the US State Department said.
Several US lawmakers have stepped up calls for tougher sanctions against Moscow, citing "the lack of progress in ceasefire talks" in Istanbul, Reuters reported on Friday.
The agency cited data showing that the bill to tighten restrictions is supported by 73 out of 100 lawmakers in the Senate. Reuters notes that lawmakers have not set a date for a possible vote.
A bill that would impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russia and its trading partners if it rejects Washington's proposed ideas for resolving the conflict in Ukraine was introduced in early April by a group of 50 senators from both parties. They proposed imposing import tariffs of 500% on goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other goods.