Top congressional leaders signaled Wednesday that they are ready to move forward in imposing sanctions on Russia by the end of the month after Russian President Vlaimir Putin “has shown an unwillingness to be reasonable” during Ukraine peace talks.
President Donald Trump said he is “very strongly” considering Congress’ plans to introduce a sanctions bill after expressing sharp frustration with Putin during a cabinet meeting Tuesday.
The bipartisan bill would impose a 500% tariff on countries importing Russian gas, oil and uranium, which includes China and India. The legislation currently has more than 80 co-sponsors in the Senate, suggesting vast popularity among senators to penalize Russia.
Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., indicated that the bill would be ready in the next two weeks before Congress leaves for its five-week August recess. Thune teased an official announcement later this week.
Trump has engaged in peace talks with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky since January with the intent to end the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II, but negotiations between the warring nations have been largely unsuccessful.
Thune suggested that sanctions against the Kremlin would “enhance President Trump’s leverage at the negotiating table and help end the bloodshed in Ukraine.”
Co-sponsor Rep. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the legislation includes flexibility to allow Trump to waive the sanctions if Russia agrees to a ceasefire.
Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., backed the Senate’s bill and signaled support for it among the House conference.
“Putin has shown an unwillingness to be reasonable and to talk seriously about brokering a peace, and I think we have to send them a message,” Johnson said.
Although the sanctions legislation has had significant bipartisan backing in the Senate, it appears Thune has been waiting to move forward with the bill until receiving a clear signal from the president, who up until this point has favored a diplomatic approach with Russia. It appears Thune got this signal Wednesday when Trump unveiled deep frustration with Putin during a meeting with his cabinet.
“We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin if you want to know the truth,” Trump said. “He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
When asked by reporters if he is looking at Graham’s bill, Trump said he is giving it strong consideration.
