US Senators Back 'crushing' Sanctions Against Russia

• 1.05.2025, 10:34

Putin is being given an ultimatum.

A majority of senators support a bill for "crushing" sanctions against Russia and buyers of its oil and gas unless Vladimir Putin begins serious negotiations to end the war against Ukraine.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said this, according to Bloomberg.

One of President Donald Trump's key allies said 72 senators support the bill.

"The goal is to help the president," Graham said on April 30, the same day Washington and Kiev signed a deal to access Ukraine's natural resources.

As Bloomberg notes, the deal gave some reassurance to officials in Kiev who feared Trump might withdraw support for peace talks.

The gun at Putin's temple

The penalties would include a 500% duty on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas or uranium. Other sanctions would also prohibit U.S. citizens from buying Russian sovereign debt.

"I want the war to be ended through negotiations, fair and square. I think Trump is the best person to accomplish that goal, but these sanctions reflect the Senate's view that we see that the main bad guy is Russia," the senator said.

Graham added that Putin "would be making a huge mistake if he tried to play with Trump, so this bill is a tool in President Trump's arsenal."

"When President Trump thinks we're at an impasse, expect action," he said.

Graham said he has enough support in the House of Representatives to bring the sanctions bill to the floor there as well.

He said Putin will ultimately have to choose between meeting with Trump and ending the war or "trashing" the Russian economy.