Senators for tougher sanctions against Russia

The US Senate could soon vote on additional sanctions against Russia, following months of angst among senators on both sides of the aisle who have wanted harsher US action against Russia for meddling in last year's presidential election, CNN reports.

Talks were underway Wednesday among Senate leaders to hash out an amendment to attach to a separate bill related to more sanctions on Iran, which the Senate is expected to vote on in the coming days.

Negotiators are angling for the language that will guarantee bipartisan support. The move would send a signal to President Donald Trump, who earlier this year suggested he would be open to lifting sanctions if Russia cooperated with the US in the fight against terrorism.

"I think he's going to get a clear message from Congress that we want tougher sanctions on Russia," said Sen. Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.

Cardin told reporters that a consensus has not been reached yet and members are still sorting out provisions from different bills that have already been introduced this year, including two by Cardin, who teamed up with Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham.

Russia continues its annexation of foreign lands, including 20 percent of Georgia's total territory.

Russian occupant forces also continue creeping occupation of Georgia’s territory and erect new “border signs” nearly on daily basis.

Now they are too close to Georgia’s central highway, connecting the country’s western parts to the east.

Russians may use the situation to provoke Georgia at any time.

Without support, real support from the international community, it is impossible for Georgia to stop Russia with its military forces alone.

Russia must face strong sanctions from influential foreign countries to step back.