US senators intend to introduce a bill that would allow Trump to impose strict sanctions on Russia
US senators announced Sunday their intention to introduce a bipartisan bill that would allow President Donald Trump to impose tough sanctions on Russia, ahead of a visit by the US special envoy to Ukraine.
Trump has indicated he is open to the sanctions bill amid growing rift between him and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg is scheduled to begin his latest visit to Ukraine, while Trump said he will make a major statement on Russia on Monday.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said a majority in the Senate supports his sanctions bill, which is gaining momentum amid faltering US-led peace efforts.
Graham told CBS News that the bill would allow Trump to go after Putin’s economy and all those countries that support his war machine.
Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his disappointment with Putin after Moscow intensified its missile and drone bombardment of Kyiv, hinted at his readiness to finally tighten sanctions on Moscow.
The US president has refrained from intervening in the conflict for the past six months, trying to persuade Putin to end the war.
But his patience appears to be running out, as he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that Putin is talking “a lot of nonsense” about Ukraine.
Last week, Trump also agreed to send more weapons to Zelensky, as well as a deal allowing NATO to purchase American weapons and send them to Ukraine.
On Thursday, Trump appeared to support the bill, but declined to confirm whether he would use it to impose sanctions on Moscow.
“They’re going to pass a very big, very tough sanctions bill, but it’s up to the president whether he wants to implement it or not,” Trump told NBC.
When asked during a meeting with his administration about his interest in the bill, Trump said, “I’m studying it very seriously”.
Graham emphasized that “this congressional package we’re considering will give President Trump the power to impose 500% tariffs on any country that assists Russia,” adding that these tariffs include economies that purchase Russian goods, such as China, India, and Brazil.
Graham described the proposed sanctions as a sledgehammer in President Trump’s hands to end this war.
“Without a doubt, this is exactly the kind of influence that can bring peace closer and ensure that diplomacy isn’t empty,” the Ukrainian leader said in a post on X about the proposed bill.
Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal are scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday evening.
Blumenthal told CBS News that they will also discuss the release of frozen Russian assets in Europe and the United States and their transfer to Ukraine.
Blumenthal added, “The $5 billion frozen by the United States can also be accessed, and I think the time has come to do so”.
