US senators propose bipartisan push for Russia sanctions

A major bipartisan effort is underway in the U.S. Congress to impose sweeping new sanctions on Russia and its global partners, as President Donald Trump signals a shift in his Ukraine policy amid mounting frustration with Moscow's war conduct.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation alongside Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on July 13, declared that a “turning point” in the Ukraine war is approaching. The two lawmakers are co-sponsoring a sanctions bill backed by 85 senators that would give the U.S. president broad authority to impose punitive economic measures against Russia and countries that support its war machine.

“This is truly a sledgehammer available to President Trump to end this war,” Graham said, noting that the bill would enable the president to impose tariffs of up to 500% on nations aiding Russia, including key buyers of Russian oil such as China, India, and Brazil.

Blumenthal added that European leaders have expressed full support for the initiative during meetings with U.S. lawmakers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Europe last week. Zelenskyy praised the sanctions bill on social media, calling it “exactly the kind of leverage that can bring peace closer.”

The bill, which was previously sidelined due to other legislative priorities and negotiations with the White House, is gaining momentum. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said last week that the measure could reach the Senate floor before the August recess.

President Trump, who has so far sought a diplomatic approach to ending the war, is now “strongly considering” the sanctions bill, and has voiced growing disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin. After a recent call with the Russian leader, Trump admitted “no progress” had been made and authorised new shipments of defensive weapons to Ukraine.

“Putin is not treating human beings right. He's killing too many people,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting, confirming the decision to resume paused arms deliveries.

Lawmakers are also pushing for the conversion of $5 billion in seized Russian assets into a trust fund for Ukraine. Representative French Hill (R-AR), who spearheaded legislation on asset seizure during the Biden administration, said now is the time to act. Blumenthal echoed the sentiment, saying European countries are also preparing to access frozen Russian funds.

Graham suggested that more announcements were imminent, including an increase in arms shipments and a new economic pressure campaign. “You will see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend themselves,” he said.

Despite early efforts by Trump to bring Putin to the negotiating table, Graham said Russia’s escalation in attacks had backfired: “One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump.”

By Vugar Khalilov