In an obvious slap to Trump’s newly personal relationship with Putin, both U.S. House  (419-3) and Senate (98-2) voted nearly unanimously for further Russia sanctions! Hard to believe the mind-controlled, Russia-hating obstinacy of our “elected” officials, most of them compromised (bought, and/or blackmailed), bound and determined to take down Trump, who would rather work constructively with Russia than engage in ecocidal nuclear war.

Is this Trump’s moment of truth? Can and will he veto? Or will he, instead, continue to talk privately with Putin while going along with this sorry political drama for all to see which actually will, as the usually 100% cynical Paul Craig Roberts notes —

A Ray of Hope

— fracture relations between the U.S. and the E.U., thus further demoralizing NATO. All of which is good for Russia?! Yep, welcome to Earth, late July 2017.

Senate Overwhelmingly Votes for New Russia Sanctions, Now It’s Up to Trump

Except that it isn’t, apparently, since Trump can’t veto without congressional approval? Meanwhile, Russia has already responded, by echoing Obama’s churlish moves over last year’s Christmas holidays! Remember that?

Russia Retaliates: Orders U.S. to Cut Diplomatic Staff, Seizes Two Compounds

One wonders what 9D chess game is being played out here, and whether or not Trump and Putin are, underneath all the layers, on the same page.