Biden Setting Trap with Russia Sanctions for Trump, According to WaPo
Incoming US President Donald Trump will reportedly face challenges in reversing the restrictions. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The incoming US president will face significant challenges in reversing existing restrictions, a report by the Washington Post indicates.
According to the newspaper, President Joe Biden's administration has strategically positioned sanctions that will complicate President-elect Donald Trump's ability to lift extensive measures aimed at Russia’s energy sector.
Among the primary obstacles are the legal framework underpinning the sanctions and the potential for strong opposition from Congress. Republican lawmakers have historically advocated for even tougher penalties, which could hinder Trump’s attempts to change course.
“It’s entirely up to [the next administration] to determine whether, when, and on what terms they might lift any sanctions we put in place,” a senior Biden official noted. However, current sanctions laws empower Congress to obstruct any efforts to loosen these restrictions.
This situation could limit Trump’s alternatives, possibly compelling him to maintain pressure on Moscow while he simultaneously advocates for a swift resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Michael Waltz, Trump’s incoming national security adviser, has suggested utilizing the sanctions to incentivize Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace negotiations.
In a pre-election article for The Economist, Waltz stated: “If [Putin] refuses to talk, Washington can… provide more weapons to Ukraine with fewer restrictions. Faced with this pressure, Mr. Putin will probably take the opportunity to wind the conflict down.”
The latest US sanctions target major Russian oil companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, along with 183 oil tankers, aiming to undermine Russia’s energy sector, which is vital for its budget. Additionally, the measures tighten the US Treasury Department’s licensing, diminishing Moscow’s ability to receive payments in dollars for energy exports. The timing of these sanctions, just days before Trump’s inauguration, has led to accusations of intentional sabotage from Moscow.
“We are aware that the administration will try to leave the most difficult legacy possible in bilateral relations to Trump and his associates,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked prior to the sanctions announcement.
Biden administration officials have characterized the sanctions as part of a long-term strategy. “We believe our actions are leaving a solid foundation upon which the next administration can build,” one official commented, anticipating that the measures will cost Russia billions in monthly revenue and force the country to make “hard decisions” regarding its economy.
Given that the sanctions are tied to bipartisan legislation, any attempts to roll them back are expected to meet resistance in Congress, leaving Trump with limited options as he steps into office, the Washington Post concluded.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to the newspaper, President Joe Biden's administration has strategically positioned sanctions that will complicate President-elect Donald Trump's ability to lift extensive measures aimed at Russia’s energy sector.
Among the primary obstacles are the legal framework underpinning the sanctions and the potential for strong opposition from Congress. Republican lawmakers have historically advocated for even tougher penalties, which could hinder Trump’s attempts to change course.
“It’s entirely up to [the next administration] to determine whether, when, and on what terms they might lift any sanctions we put in place,” a senior Biden official noted. However, current sanctions laws empower Congress to obstruct any efforts to loosen these restrictions.
This situation could limit Trump’s alternatives, possibly compelling him to maintain pressure on Moscow while he simultaneously advocates for a swift resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Michael Waltz, Trump’s incoming national security adviser, has suggested utilizing the sanctions to incentivize Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace negotiations.
In a pre-election article for The Economist, Waltz stated: “If [Putin] refuses to talk, Washington can… provide more weapons to Ukraine with fewer restrictions. Faced with this pressure, Mr. Putin will probably take the opportunity to wind the conflict down.”
The latest US sanctions target major Russian oil companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, along with 183 oil tankers, aiming to undermine Russia’s energy sector, which is vital for its budget. Additionally, the measures tighten the US Treasury Department’s licensing, diminishing Moscow’s ability to receive payments in dollars for energy exports. The timing of these sanctions, just days before Trump’s inauguration, has led to accusations of intentional sabotage from Moscow.
“We are aware that the administration will try to leave the most difficult legacy possible in bilateral relations to Trump and his associates,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked prior to the sanctions announcement.
Biden administration officials have characterized the sanctions as part of a long-term strategy. “We believe our actions are leaving a solid foundation upon which the next administration can build,” one official commented, anticipating that the measures will cost Russia billions in monthly revenue and force the country to make “hard decisions” regarding its economy.
Given that the sanctions are tied to bipartisan legislation, any attempts to roll them back are expected to meet resistance in Congress, leaving Trump with limited options as he steps into office, the Washington Post concluded.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
