US senator urges Congress to sanction Russian energy customers

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called on Congress to quickly advance a sanctions bill targeting Russia, saying it is essential to strengthening U.S. leverage in efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine.

“I am glad to see there seems to be progress in moving the Russia sanctions bill in the House, which has overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress,” Graham said on X.

The legislation, which Graham has been developing alongside Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) for nearly a year, would allow the President to impose sanctions on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas at discounted rates.

“Going after Russia’s oil customers is the way to push Putin to the peace table,” Graham said. “It will give the President of the United States more leverage than he has ever had in this area.”

Graham stressed the urgency of the measure, noting that prompt congressional action is crucial to securing “an honourable and just peace in Ukraine.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev