Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is rallying support for a new sanctions bill aimed at intensifying pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his allies. In a recent interview, Graham, alongside his co-sponsor, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), outlined their plans to target not only Russia’s economy but also the countries that continue to support Putin’s war in Ukraine, calling it a “turning point” in the ongoing conflict.
“For months, President Trump has attempted to draw Russia to the peace table, applying tariffs on countries linked to illicit activities like fentanyl trafficking, while keeping diplomatic channels open with Putin. But that door is about to close,” Graham said during his appearance on Face the Nation.
The bill, supported by 85 cosponsors, would grant President Trump the authority to impose sweeping sanctions, including 500% tariffs on any nation that aids Russia’s war effort. Graham emphasized that this would provide Trump with a “sledgehammer” to dismantle Russia’s economic support system, which includes countries like China, India, and Brazil that continue to purchase oil and goods from Russia. These transactions, Graham explained, help fund Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
The proposed sanctions package would allow the president to adjust tariffs based on specific conditions, providing him with significant flexibility to target both Russia and its global enablers. “This is truly a sledgehammer available to President Trump to end this war,” Graham said.
Bipartisan Support and Global Implications
Although the sanctions measure had faced delays amid other legislative priorities, it has gained momentum in recent weeks, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicating that the bill could be up for Senate consideration as early as August. Graham and Blumenthal recently traveled to Europe, where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who voiced strong support for the sanctions bill. Zelenskyy echoed the importance of using economic leverage to bring Russia to the negotiating table, emphasizing the bill’s potential to accelerate peace efforts.
Blumenthal, reflecting on European solidarity, stated, “At this moment, our unity is critical. European leaders emphasized the importance of applying this ‘sledgehammer’ to weaken Putin’s support system.” He also reassured that the bill’s provisions for presidential waiver authority mirrored previous legislative measures, allowing for executive flexibility while maintaining congressional oversight — an aspect particularly significant to his Democratic colleagues.
The Broader Strategy: More Weapons and Seized Assets
In addition to economic sanctions, Graham and Blumenthal highlighted the potential for increased military aid to Ukraine, with Graham suggesting that “weapons will be flowing at a record level” in the coming days. His remarks coincide with reports that Trump is considering new funding for Ukraine, a shift in policy as the conflict has reached its second year.
Amidst these developments, Graham mentioned that the U.S. government has seized Russian assets, with Blumenthal noting that European leaders are exploring ways to access these assets, including the $5 billion already seized by the U.S. These actions could pave the way for the establishment of a trust fund to benefit Ukraine.
Senator French Hill (R-AR), who spearheaded legislation giving the president the authority to seize foreign assets, voiced his support for utilizing these seized funds for Ukraine’s benefit. “I think it’s time for the president to convert those seized assets to a trust account for the benefit of Ukraine,” Hill stated, highlighting the urgency of converting these resources into tangible support for Ukraine’s defense.
Global Reactions and the Path Forward
Graham’s comments underscore a broader strategy to shift the balance of power in the war, with the ultimate goal of diminishing Russia’s ability to sustain its military campaign. He warned that Putin’s failure to engage in meaningful peace talks has led to escalating violence. “Putin made a miscalculation here,” Graham concluded, emphasizing that, despite Trump’s efforts to encourage dialogue, Russian aggression continues unabated. “The attacks have gone up, not down. One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump.”
As the U.S. and its allies continue to ramp up economic and military pressure on Russia, the coming weeks may mark a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict, with far-reaching implications for international relations, economic stability, and the future of Ukraine.
