Senate pauses Russia sanctions bill ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia and its trading partners is effectively on hold until after an upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I think they’re thinking that — see how this meeting goes in a couple of weeks with Putin,” Thune told reporters, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Thune noted that he is in close contact with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who is coordinating the sanctions efforts with the White House.

“I think at least right now [Graham] is working with the White House trying to determine whether or not that meeting that happens in a couple of weeks will be a fruitful one,” Thune added.

A second source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the legislation is effectively frozen until the Trump-Putin summit. The meeting, which Trump announced would take place in Budapest, Hungary, has yet to be scheduled.

The pause comes after Thune, earlier in the week, suggested it was time to advance the sanctions legislation. The bill proposes tariffs on countries importing Russian oil and gas, along with secondary sanctions targeting foreign companies supporting Russian energy production.

However, on the same day Thune voiced support for the legislation, Trump held a lengthy phone call with Putin and raised doubts about whether it was the right time to move forward.

The sanctions bill has more than 80 cosponsors, enough to override opposition from the president potentially. Nevertheless, Republican leaders have been hesitant to advance the measure without explicit approval from Trump, concerned that proceeding without it could place GOP members in a politically difficult position if the president later opposed the bill.

Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Canadian Finance and National Revenue Minister François-Philippe Champagne to press Canada on outstanding American trade concerns, notably imbalances in the automotive sector.

During their discussions, Secretary Bessent underscored the Administration’s expectation that Canada, alongside European nations and the United Kingdom, should intensify economic pressure on Russia through coordinated efforts within the G7 framework.

He also highlighted the need for a united approach to China’s global rare earth export restrictions and stressed the strategic importance of maintaining diversified supply chains.

By Aghakazim Guliyev