Senate Republican Leader: Time has come to consider sanctions against Russia
Photo: John Thune, US Senate Republican Leader (Flickr/Gage Skidmore)
The US Senate may consider Senator Lindsey Graham’s bill, which proposes devastating sanctions against Russia, states Senate Republican Leader John Thune, according to CBS News.
Commenting on the bill on new sanctions against Russia, Thune said that the time for its consideration has "come."
"I think we need to move," he emphasized.
Thune clarified that he met with Graham to discuss the bill and that lawmakers are trying to resolve technical issues, including the procedure for its implementation — details that had raised concerns at the White House.
"I think the time is right. I'm hoping we can get it scheduled," the Republican said.
Graham’s bill on sanctions against Russia
Senator Lindsey Graham has drafted the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, which proposes the most extensive sanctions against Russia since the start of the war. Its goal is to compel the Kremlin to end its aggression against Ukraine and begin peace negotiations.
In particular, the bill proposes imposing 500% tariffs on all Russian-origin goods and similar duties on countries that continue to purchase oil, gas, uranium, and petroleum products from Russia.
The bill has not yet been considered in either the US Senate or the House of Representatives, amid efforts by US President Donald Trump to achieve an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine through dialogue.
Specifically, on October 16, Trump arranged a meeting with Putin in Budapest. Moscow claims the meeting will take place soon, though an exact date has not yet been set.
