Legislators propose sanctions as Russia continues the war and spurns ceasefire discussions.
Congress and President Donald Trump are preparing to increase pressure against Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine. President Trump has escalated his criticism against Russian leadership, and Congress is exploring new sanctions in a bill currently working its way through the Senate.
Earlier this week, the president characterized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s diplomatic public statements as “meaningless.” President Trump’s position on the war in Ukraine has shifted from earlier this year, when he praised President Putin for pursuing a ceasefire and criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for not accepting ceasefire terms that included the annexation of occupied Ukrainian territories.
In the Senate, Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut have introduced legislation that would impose new primary and secondary sanctions against Russia, as well as 500 percent tariffs on anything from other nations that was originally purchased from Russia.
“The real focus of the bill is to hit the customers of Putin. China and India buy 70 percent of Russian oil and gas and other petroleum products,” Senator Graham said. “I’ve always believed the way this war ends is when China goes to Putin and says, ‘Enough already, you’re hurting us now.’”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for Senators Graham and Blumenthal as they promote the sanctions bill against Russia.
- For President Trump and his foreign advisors as they shift to increase pressure on Russia to encourage a ceasefire.
Sources: Fox News, The Hill
