The leaders of the Republicans and Democrats adopted legislation in the Congress, which allowed new sanctions to punish Russia for interfering in the US presidential election. The new legislation prevents President Donald Trump from arbitrarily breaking new sanctions, although he has previously announced that he needs diplomatic maneuver in regarding to the Kremlin, reports the BBC.

The president can use the veto right, but with this in the middle of an investigation of Russian interference, he would only blur the hints that he has secret links with Russia. "United Congress wants to send a clear message to the President of Russia, message to the American people and our allies. We need President Trump to help us pass this message," said Democratic Senator Ben Cardin at the adoption of legislation.

Legislation also covers the possibility of sanctions against Iran and North Korea, and the US allows new sanctions against Russia also due to its connection to the Crimean peninsula in 2014. In addition to these, the administration of President Barack Obama has excluded 35 Russian diplomats and seized two Russian embassy buildings, The BBC reports.

Warning by the European Union

When the legislation was adopted, the European Union urged the US to coordinate with the members of the seven most powerful economies (G7) and avoid any unexpected consequences. The European Commission has warned the United States that its actions can trigger the consequences for European energy trading.

Germany has already threatened with retaliation if the US intends to sanction German companies that are building a new Baltic gas pipeline for Russian gas. In Brussels, they are now afraid that US sanctions could affect the German-Russian negotiations on the North Stream 2 gas pipeline built by Russian Gazprom.