The Trump administration continues to put sanctions on Russia using its executive powers, even as it refuses to implement congressionally-mandated sanctions. On Jan. 26 Washington sanctioned 21 individuals and nine entities for their connection to the Russian takeover of Crimea. On the diplomatic front, the United States and NATO allies have expelled scores of Russian diplomats for Russia’s alleged poisoning of double agent Sergei V. Skripal in the United Kingdom.
Despite these efforts, Russia shows no indication of altering its behavior. Sanctions have failed to influence President Vladimir Putin because Russia’s ability to earn massive amounts of foreign currency through the sale of oil and gas remains untouched. All countries are involved in this: the European Union, China, even the United States.
