FILE - In this July 7, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg. Trump signed on Aug. 2, what he called a "seriously flawed" bill imposing new sanctions on Russia, pressured by his Republican Party not to move on his own toward a warmer relationship with Moscow in light of Russian actions. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the Russia sanctions bill signed by President Donald Trump(all times local):
1:40 p.m.
Republican senators say it's wrong for the president to blame Congress for deteriorating relations with Russia.
Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania says he was shocked at a tweet by President Donald Trump that says "you can blame Congress" for a relationship "at an all-time" and "dangerous low."
But many Republicans blame Russian President Vladimir Putin for the growing tensions.
Maine Sen. Susan Collins cites Russia's actions in Ukraine and Syria and its suspected interference in the presidential election. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis says relations with Russia are bad "because they've done bad things."
And Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby says the two nations' relationship began deteriorating with the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to Communist rule. Shelby says, "I don't see how it's Congress' fault."
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8:40 a.m.
He grudgingly signed a package of sanctions against Russia. Now the president's blaming Congress for relations with Russia being at what he calls "an all-time" and "very dangerous low."
President Donald Trump tweeted early Thursday, "Our relationship with Russia is at an all-time & very dangerous low." He adds: "You can thank Congress, the same people that can't even give us HCare!"
Trump calls the sanctions he signed "seriously flawed." He's pushed for warmer relations with Moscow but has bowed to resistance from both parties in Congress in signing the measure.
He signed it without holding a public event. And Trump sent out a written statement accusing Congress of overstepping its constitutional bounds, holding back his ability to negotiate with foreign countries and lacking any ability to strike deals.
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3:29 p.m.
President Donald Trump has bowed to resistance from both parties to his push for warmer ties with Moscow and grudgingly signed a bill that imposes new sanctions on Russia.
Trump signed the most significant piece of legislation of his presidency Wednesday with no public event.
And he coupled it with a written statement that accused Congress of overstepping its constitutional bounds, impeding his ability to negotiate with foreign countries and lacking any ability to strike deals.
The legislation is powerful evidence of the roadblock Congress has erected to Trump's efforts to reset relations with Russia at a time when federal investigators are probing Moscow's interference in the U.S. presidential election and possible collusion by the Trump campaign.
The sanctions are aimed at penalizing Moscow for that interference.
FILE - In this July 31, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House. Trump signed on Aug. 2, what he called a "seriously flawed" bill imposing new sanctions on Russia, pressured by his Republican Party not to move on his own toward a warmer relationship with Moscow in light of Russian actions.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 28, 2017, file photo, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, with a monument to Russian revolutionary workers in the foreground. President Donald Trump on Aug. 2, signed what he called a "seriously flawed" bill imposing new sanctions on Russia, pressured by his Republican Party not to move on his own toward a warmer relationship with Moscow in light of Russian actions. Moscow has responded to a White House announcement that Trump intended to sign the bill, by ordering a reduction in the number of U.S. diplomats in Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 21, 2017 file photo, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks at the State Department in Washington. Tillerson says neither he nor President Donald Trump is "very happy" about new sanctions on Russia that Congress has voted to put in place. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
The Associated Press
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and other members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, arrive on Capitol Hill Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, for a closed-door meeting with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press
Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. talks to reporters on Capitol Hill Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, following a closed-door meeting with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis. Earlier, President Donald Trump signed a bill to impose new sanctions on Russia which passed Congress with overwhelming support. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press
Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and other members of the committee, arrive on Capitol Hill Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, for a closed-door meeting with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis. Earlier, President Donald Trump signed a bill to impose new sanctions on Russia which passed Congress with overwhelming support. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press