Bill targeting Russia with tougher sanctions may reach Senate floor this week
Photo: Senator Lindsey Graham (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine believes that the chances of the bill on tougher sanctions against Russia being adopted in the United States are quite substantial. The document may be submitted to the Senate this week, states Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the President of Ukraine’s envoy on sanctions policy, during the national telethon live broadcast.
Vlasiuk noted that Senator Lindsey Graham’s sanctions bill against the Russian Federation is expected to pass in the Senate regardless of President Donald Trump’s position.
"We hope the bill will be submitted to the Senate this week. If that happens, we can confidently speak of a clear stance from the US establishment on tightening sanctions against Russia," he added.
According to him, the bill contains many strong ideas. Currently, the efforts of leaders from numerous countries are focused on encouraging the United States to intensify its sanctions pressure. This, he said, could compel Russia to engage in genuine peace negotiations.
Graham’s sanctions bill
Senator Lindsey Graham earlier proposed a bill introducing new sanctions against Russia. In particular, the legislation would impose a 500% tariff on countries that continue to purchase oil, gas, uranium, and other products from Russia.
The bill is supported by a majority of senators, but it has not yet been brought to a vote. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a cautious approach to potential sanctions against Russia, despite making bold threats.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the White House has asked Graham to soften the bill and effectively make it non-binding.
