Wednesday, January 16, the Senate did not support the proposal of the Democratic party, which was to prevent President Trump to lift the sanctions against 3 Russian companies associated with the oligarch Oleg Deripaska.
Resolution submitted by minority leader Chuck Schumer, did not have enough 3 votes to the desired 60: it was supported by 57 senators voted «Nay,» 42. Not enough even by 11 voters Republicans who sided with Democrats, arguing that the trump was wrong when he decided to lift the sanctions against the second largest in the world aluminum giant Rusal, industrial EN+ Group and power company «EuroSibEnergo».
Before the vote, Schumer called on Republicans to support a resolution to prevent the lifting of sanctions, if they believe that the President of Russia Vladimir Putin a «thug.»
«I would like to address my fellow Republicans… do you Believe that America needs to take a tough stance against Putin, or do you think that we should calmly treat Putin and his cronies? From my point of view, it is an easy choice,» said Schumer.
At the end of December the administration of trump announced the removal from the sanctions list of 3 companies associated with Mr Deripaska, who is considered a figure close to Putin. In accordance with the law on sanctions 2017 Congress has the right to overrule any decision of the administration to trump a relaxation of the sanctions within 30 days. This period ends on January 19.
Last week Finance Minister Steven Mnuchin met with representatives of the Democrats in the House of representatives and Republicans in the Senate to prove that the sanctions against the three companies should be abolished, because the share of Deripaska’s companies fell below 50%.
«RUSAL has felt the impact of US sanctions due to its intricate links with Oleg Deripaska, but the US government is not aimed at working people who depend on «Rusal» and its subsidiaries,» — said Mnuchin in April last year.
The Finance Ministry has noted that personally Deripaska will remain in the positive list of the United States, which includes 7 of the Russian oligarchs, who are suspected of aiding the Kremlin.
