NBC News reports:

Nearly three months after deeming Russia in violation of a chemical weapons law, the Trump administration has yet to impose tough new sanctions on Moscow required by the law and triggered by the poisoning last year of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.

Even as the European Union moves ahead, punishing four Russian officials this week in connection with the poisoning, the U.S. has not moved forward with its own penalties. The delay comes as the Trump administration faces intense congressional scrutiny over a Treasury Department deal to lift sanctions on companies that had been controlled by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska.

Asked about the Skripal sanctions, the State Department told NBC News the U.S. “will proceed with our statutory requirements” but would not comment on when the sanctions will take effect.

“There is no deadline in the law for imposing sanctions,” the State Department said, adding, “We intend to proceed according to the statutory requirements.” [Continue reading…]