Congress Finally Shows Some Spine on Russia

The bill imposing U.S. sanctions against Russia that is moving inexorably toward President Donald Trump’s desk is a victory of politics, foreign policy and common sense.

Politically, Congress made just enough changes to a bill the White House had threatened to reject to give the president a plausible excuse to sign it and claim victory. In terms of international relations, the sanctions will put more pressure on the oligarchs and quasi-state-owned companies that are beholden to Russian President Vladimir Putin.