The U.S. Senate is poised to advance a bill next week imposing further sanctions on Russia over its three-year war in Ukraine, according to Senator Lindsey Graham, following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, visited Kyiv alongside Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, co-sponsor of the Senate sanctions measure. The bill proposes a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products.
Graham stated that the legislation, backed by 82 co-sponsors, would impose “bone-breaking sanctions” on Russia and its customers.
“So, I would expect next week that the Senate will start moving the sanctions bill. There are House members that are ready to move in the House, and you’ll see congressional action,” he said.
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For the measure to become law, it must pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives and receive President Donald Trump’s signature. Trump has expressed concerns about President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine but has hesitated to impose further sanctions, citing concerns that they could hinder prospects for a peace agreement.
Graham said his objective was to garner bipartisan congressional support “for tools that would help President Trump get Putin to the peace table. These sanctions would do that.”
The timeline for House consideration of the sanctions bill remains unclear, and Speaker Mike Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Graham told a news conference that Putin was attempting to prolong the peace process. Ukraine has called for an immediate ceasefire.
Following unproductive direct talks between Russia and Ukraine earlier this month, Graham anticipated that a second round, proposed by Russia for Monday in Turkey, would be merely a “Russian charade.”
“When they talk about peace, it is all talk. Look at what they are doing on the ground and you will see that Putin is trying to delay, drag it out, prepare for another military assault to gain land by force of arms,” Graham said.
Washington already has extensive sanctions in place against Russia in response to its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. also participates in international restrictions on Russian oil sales, including a price cap and sanctions on oil tankers.
Zelenskiy has advocated for a new round of U.S. sanctions on Russia and, in a message on the Telegram app on Friday, welcomed the proposed legislation.
