In Washington, the Senate’s Democratic leadership is escalating its scrutiny of the Trump administration’s handling of Russia sanctions. Three key senators—Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts, and Chris Coons of Delaware—have formally announced an investigation into the Trump administration’s decision to halt new sanctions against Russia. The investigation follows an outcry from Democratic lawmakers who argue that the pause has enabled Russia to continue its aggression without meaningful consequences. The senators accuse Trump of failing to uphold his rhetoric of ending the war in Ukraine, instead allowing the Kremlin to operate with impunity.
The investigation was set in motion by a report from the New York Times, which detailed that the U.S. has significantly slowed its enforcement of sanctions against Moscow. According to the report, since January, Trump has not imposed any new sanctions and has even rolled back some existing restrictions. This period of inactivity has allowed Russia to circumvent penalties, with shell companies in China and Hong Kong capitalizing on the vacuum by exporting banned goods to Moscow. The Times’ analysis highlighted that over 130 companies in these regions have been advertising the sale of sanctioned computer chips to Russia, despite the illegal activity. None of these entities have faced sanctions, raising questions about the effectiveness of America’s sanctions regime.
The Democratic senators have pointedly criticized the Trump administration for not taking action to pressure Russia, despite the clear opportunity to do so. In their joint statement, they called on Trump to ‘actively enforce the existing sanctions against Russia’ and urged cooperation with the EU and G7 nations to strengthen sanctions and export controls. They argue that instead of taking concrete steps to end the war, Trump has done nothing, and they will investigate this missed opportunity to push for an end to the conflict. The senators also highlighted the Trump administration’s decision to remove sanctions on Karina Rotenberg, the wife of a key Russian ally, and its exemption of Russia from the ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, which they argue further undermines American efforts to deter Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, the bipartisan sanctions bill, sponsored by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, has been reportedly obstructed by Trump. The bill, which seeks to impose a 500% tariff on imports from countries that purchase Russian oil and raw materials, was intended to put pressure on Moscow by cutting off its economic lifelines. However, Trump has been accused of pressuring Republican senators to weaken the proposed legislation and delay its vote. This resistance has raised concerns among Democratic lawmakers and allies of the bill, who believe that the measures could have significant economic and strategic impact on Russia’s war economy.
The Senate’s decision to investigate Trump’s Russia sanctions policy comes as the administration continues to face multiple criticisms over its approach to the Ukraine conflict. In addition to the stalled sanctions, Trump has also been at the center of controversies related to the pause in U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which has left Kyiv scrambling for clarity on the scope and duration of the halt. These developments have further deepened the divide between the Trump administration and its congressional allies, as lawmakers seek to hold the executive branch accountable for its handling of sanctions and foreign policy decisions.