Russia’s “destabilizing behaviors are not acceptable to the United States” Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News on Wednesday after President Donald Trump signed a new sanctions bill that seeks to punish Moscow for interfering in the 2016 presidential election and for its military aggression in Syria and Ukraine.
“President Trump believes whatever frustration that we feel for Congress limiting his authority to conduct foreign affairs that unbalance this legislation reaffirms the president’s strong commitment to ongoing sanctions with Russia, to make it clear that their destabilizing behaviors are not acceptable to the United States, and that ongoing provocations from North Korea and Iran will no longer be accepted,” Pence said on Fox News’ Special Reportwith Bret Baier.
Both houses of Congress overwhelmingly approved the bill last week, and Trump signed it despite calling it “seriously flawed” saying he did it for the sake of “national unity”.
“By limiting the executive’s flexibility, this bill makes it harder for the United States to strike good deals for the American people, and will drive China, Russia, and North Korea much closer together,” Trump said Wednesday.
During a visit to Montenegro on Wednesday, Pence has praised the tiny Balkan country for standing up to Russian pressure when it joined NATO earlier this year. Pence is the highest-ranking American official to visit the small Adriatic state in 100 years. Russia considers Montenegro its traditional Slavic ally.
“I bring greetings from President Donald Trump. He sent me here as a tangible sign of our commitment to Montenegro as the newest member of NATO.” Pence said.
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