LOC17:33
14:33 GMT
WASHINGTON, July 29 (KUNA) -- The near unanimous votes for sanctions legislation in Congress represent "the strong will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States," Secretary of State Tex Tillerson said on Saturday.
"We hope that there will be cooperation between our two countries on major global issues, and these sanctions will no longer be necessary," Tillerson said in a statement released by the State Department.
"We will work closely with our friends and allies to ensure our messages to Russia, Iran and North Korea are clearly understood," he said.
The House voted 419-3 and the Senate voted 98-2 to approve the sanctions package.
Late on Friday, the White House announced that President Donald Trump "approves the bill and intends to sign it."
The legislation, which also punishes Iran and North Korea, targets Moscow for meddling in the 2016 US election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria. (end)
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