In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Sunday that the U.S. diplomatic mission in Russia would have to dramatically cut its staff. Here is a look at the new sanctions bill and what Russia’s response means for relations between the two powers. “Putin is kind of giving up hope,” said Robert Kahn, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations. This new sanctions bill, however, will make that more difficult. Still, the Russian president may find new opportunities in the growing tensions with the United States.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 01, 2017 09:56 UTC