Senate Majority Leader John Thune has announced a delay in introducing new sanctions legislation targeting Russia and its trading partners, pending the outcome of the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest. This decision follows Trump’s recent phone call with Vladimir Putin, during which he expressed uncertainty about the timing of moving forward with the sanctions. The proposed bill, which would impose tariffs on countries importing Russian energy and implement secondary sanctions on foreign firms that support Russian energy production, has garnered strong bipartisan support. However, with over 80 co-sponsors, the legislation still requires explicit presidential endorsement to proceed.
The delay is part of a broader strategy among Republican leaders, who are balancing the pressure to take action against Russian economic influence with the need to maintain presidential support. Thune has been in close communication with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who is coordinating the sanctions efforts with the White House. Both leaders are assessing whether the Trump-Putin meeting will yield productive results that could influence the legislative timeline. The uncertainty surrounding the meeting’s outcome has effectively put the bill on hold, with sources indicating that internal discussions confirm this pause until after the meeting.
Despite the delay, the bipartisan support for the sanctions bill remains strong, with its potential to withstand opposition from the administration. However, the risk of political fallout remains a key concern for Republican leaders. If the GOP moves forward without Trump’s public approval, it could place their members in a difficult position if the president later opposes the legislation. This delicate balance highlights the complex interplay between legislative action and executive influence in shaping U.S. foreign policy.