Republican leaders said they were ready to vote as soon as this month on punishing penalties against Moscow but have paused after President Trump threatened to act unilaterally within weeks.

US President Donald Trump has allowed for the possibility of introducing secondary sanctions against Russia earlier than the 50-day deadline he previously announced. Source: Trump speaking to journalists on 25 July,

The US does not rule out imposing secondary sanctions on Russia. Such restrictions could come sooner than 50 days, said US President Donald Trump during a conversation with journalists. Trump was asked whether he plans to introduce secondary sanctions against Russia.