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| Russia sanctions: Trump's hand forced by Senate vote | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The United States Senate has voted 98-2 to impose new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, despite objections from the White House. | The United States Senate has voted 98-2 to impose new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, despite objections from the White House. |
| The House of Representatives approved the bill earlier this week, also by an overwhelming majority. | The House of Representatives approved the bill earlier this week, also by an overwhelming majority. |
| Having passed through both chambers, it will be sent to President Trump to sign into law. | Having passed through both chambers, it will be sent to President Trump to sign into law. |
| But Mr Trump has sought closer ties with Russia, and has the power to veto the bill despite its political support. | But Mr Trump has sought closer ties with Russia, and has the power to veto the bill despite its political support. |
| A presidential veto can, in turn, be overridden by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate - where just a handful of politicians voted against the bill. | A presidential veto can, in turn, be overridden by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate - where just a handful of politicians voted against the bill. |
| The sanctions were drawn up in part to punish Russia further over the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. | The sanctions were drawn up in part to punish Russia further over the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. |
| But the debate over the new measures has taken place against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into alleged Russian meddling the in the 2016 presidential election. | But the debate over the new measures has taken place against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into alleged Russian meddling the in the 2016 presidential election. |
| Mr Trump has repeatedly denied the existence of any Russian involvement in the election to help his campaign. | |
| But political correspondents say an attempt to veto the new sanctions could fuel suspicion that he is too supportive of the Kremlin. | |
| The White House is also said to be particularly concerned over a provision in the new bill which would limit President Trump's ability to lift the sanctions. | |
| Under the legislation, he would be forced to consult Congress first. | |
| Speaking earlier this week after the House passed the bill, top-ranking Republican Paul Ryan said it "tightens the screws on our most dangerous adversaries in order to keep Americans safe". | |
| But the bill was criticised by some European countries which deal with Russian energy pipelines - which may fall foul of the new sanctions. | |
| It remains to be seen if the president will attempt to veto the bill. | |
| New White House Communications director Anthony Scaramucci told CNN: "He may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians." | |
| Earlier this week, the White House simply said it was reviewing the bill, "and awaits a final legislative package for the president's desk". |