Russia calls U.S. sanctions full-scale trade war
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"The hope of improving our relations with the new U.S. administration has come to an end," Medvedev said Wednesday on the social media Facebook, commenting on the signing into law of a new U.S. sanctions bill by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Calling it "significantly flawed", Trump on Wednesday signed into law the bill that also imposes sanctions against Tehran and Pyongyang.
The bill was approved overwhelmingly in July by the U.S. Congress despite the White House urge for a "flexibility" in dealing with Russia, partly representing a bipartisan move to punish Moscow over its alleged meddling in the U.S. presidential election last year.
Trump's reluctant signature highlights more difficulties ahead in diplomatic efforts for both Washington and Moscow to resolve their conflict on such thorny issues as of the Middle East and Ukraine.
It also fully displays increasing troubles for Trump at home, such as crippled legislative agenda marked by failed efforts against his predecessor Barack Obama's signature health care system, in the aftermath of an alleged collusion with Russia of his campaign camp. ■