WASHINGTON - An attempt by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to portray recently passed Russian sanctions legislation as a sign Americans want Russia to improve relations with the U.S. has been derided by Moscow.
In a statement released Saturday, Tillerson said overwhelming congressional votes in favour of the sanctions showed "the strong will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States." He added that he hoped future U.S.-Russia co-operation would make the sanctions unnecessary at some point.
In response, Russia's Embassy in Washington said the statement "cannot but raise eyebrows." It said in a series of tweets that pressure does not work with Russia and that sanctions will not improve relations.
1/2 The Statement made by the on July 29 regarding a new sanctions legislation approved by Congress cannot but raise eyebrows
— Russia in USA ���� (@RusEmbUSA)
2/2 Washington still doesn't get the fact that pressure never works against , bilateral relations can hardly be improved by sanctions
— Russia in USA ���� (@RusEmbUSA)
The White House said Friday that President Donald Trump will sign the legislation.
