US House Speaker Says He Warned White House of 'Unintended' Consequences of Lifting Sanctions on Russia

Washington, Oct 19 (KUNA) – U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday that he warned the White House about the “unintended” consequences that could result from the decision to ease sanctions on Russia. In remarks to Fox News, Johnson said he understood the “concerns” expressed by members of Congress regarding the administration’s recent move to relax sanctions on Moscow, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin “repeatedly proves that he cannot be trusted,” as he described. He added, “I have informed the White House team that we need to discuss this matter and carefully study the unintended consequences that may arise from this step.” U.S. President Donald Trump had previously emphasized in several statements the importance of the agreement he signed with his Russian counterpart last week to ease sanctions on Moscow and allow it to supply more diesel shipments to the world at “reduced” prices. On his view of Trump’s approach toward Russia, Johnson said, “The President (Trump) is always seeking to protect the security of the United States, always thinks outside the box, proposes creative ideas, and evaluates them carefully,” expressing confidence that Trump would ultimately make the right decision. Democratic lawmakers had strongly criticized Trump’s decision to lift part of the U.S. sanctions on Russian oil products to help offset the global fuel shortage caused by the war in Ukraine and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. (End) A.M.M./R.J.