Russia sanctions still not implemented, despite White House promises

Almost a month after the due date and the Trump administration still has not implemented the Russia sanctions, which congress passed almost unanimously and Trump signed in August.

The law, which targets both North Korea and Iran, called on the Trump administration to identify which Russian intelligence officials would be targeted, before 1 October.

However, the White House, today, said that it will implement the sanctions.

“The Trump administration remains committed to holding Russia accountable - and has on a variety of fronts," press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement, citing a “strongly worded statement” by US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

"Treasury updated sanctions last month. The State Department's portion is undergoing an interagency review and will be announced soon. I'd refer you to the State Department for additional information," Sanders added.

The update from the Treasury department acted as a formal ‘first step’ to give the proper agencies the authority to designate individuals, but they have yet to use that authority.

Since then, the State and Treasury departments have been working on identifying Russian individuals and entities to list, under the new sanctions.

Since then, the State and Treasury Departments have been working on identifying the Russian individuals and entities to list under the new sanctions.

In particular, the two agencies are still working together to develop guidance for partner countries and private companies to help them avoid violating the new sanctions, said State Department officials

That is what’s halting the implementation, they added.

"We are being very careful to develop a guidance that companies need because there are business entities that need guidance," Secretary of State Tillerson said on CNN on 15 October, adding, "We have every intention of implementing Congress's intent.".

The delays have brought about questions, queries and anger from members of Congress. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Ben Cardin, D-Md. - top Republican and Democratic senators on foreign policy - called out the administration in a letter earlier this month, demanding answers for the delay.

“They’ve had plenty of time to get their act together,” they wrote on 11 October.