The Senate has delayed discussions on the ‘Sanctioning Russia Act’ to focus on the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Republican Senator John Thune announced the postponement, citing the productive phone call between the leaders as a reason to prioritize diplomacy over sanctions. The legislation, which could impose tariffs up to 50,000% on Russian energy imports, has faced delays despite support from over 80 senators. Thune confirmed that the bill’s delay stems from Trump’s insistence on discussing a resolution to the Ukraine conflict through dialogue rather than new penalties.
While the EU has tightened punitive measures against Moscow, Washington has taken a more restrained approach under Trump. The president has emphasized negotiations over escalation, using the threat of sanctions as leverage in an attempt to push Russia toward peace talks. Following his phone call with Putin on Thursday, Trump said the two-and-a-half-hour conversation was so “productive” that a peace deal could come soon.
Moscow has consistently praised the Trump administration for what it described as a genuine desire to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict, as well as efforts to understand its root causes. The delay in the bill reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to balance economic pressure with diplomatic engagement, a departure from the more aggressive approach taken by previous administrations. Critics argue that the delay could allow Russia to continue its military operations without facing significant sanctions, potentially prolonging the conflict in Ukraine.