“In a sign of our commitment, very soon, President Trump will sign legislation to strengthen and codify the United States’ sanctions against Russia,” Mr. Pence said. “As always, our country prefers a constructive relationship with Russia based on cooperation and common interests.”But, Mr. Pence said, the current state of the relationship between the United States and Russia demanded a different approach. “The president and our Congress are unified in our message to Russia,” he said. “It’s been a lack of clarity and commitment by the United States that’s created much of the instability in the world today,” he said. “When in the past America had spoken of red lines and not followed through on red lines, many argue that that emboldened others to act in ways that they would not have,” Mr. Pence said.

Source: New York Times August 01, 2017 15:24 UTC