Senator Lindsey Graham has announced that a new Russian sanctions bill will soon be moved for a vote in Congress following discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump. The senator, in an interview with ABC News, stated that Trump had expressed readiness for the Senate to address the bill. However, Graham emphasized that the final decision on whether the measure would be signed into law remains with the president, who has a ‘waiver’ over how the sanctions are imposed.
The proposed legislation, which has garnered 84 co-sponsors, includes provisions for secondary sanctions on Russian trading partners, while shielding Ukraine’s allies from penalties. Graham outlined the bill’s economic focus, noting that countries like India and China, which purchase 70% of Putin’s oil, would face a 500% tariff on their products entering the United States. This is intended to curb Russia’s war machine by reducing its economic lifeline.
Despite the potential financial impact on Russia’s trading partners, Trump has reportedly taken a backseat approach, having previously postponed the vote on the bipartisan measure. Graham described the move toward the bipartisan effort as a ‘big breakthrough,’ albeit under the ongoing pressure of a slow legislative process. Ukraine has repeatedly urged the United States to impose additional sanctions on Russia as Moscowl continues to escalate its attacks on Ukrainian cities, a situation which has been a key driver of the legislative push.
Meanwhile, international discussions surrounding the issue have gained traction. Just hours after Graham’s remarks, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed that the United States had lifted sanctions that previously hindered the expansion of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, where Russia is building two reactors. Szijjarto noted that the construction of major equipment for the plant is proceeding in Russia and France, indicating an ongoing Russian influence in the region. These developments underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, as the international community continues to maneuver in response to Russia’s actions.