Speaker Johnson calls for tougher US sanctions on Russia
Mike Johnson, Speaker of US House of Representatives (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is not willing to seriously discuss peace with Ukraine, so the United States must send him a signal, US House Speaker Mike Johnson said, according to journalist Ostap Yarysh.
Johnson commented on the bill proposing tough sanctions against Russia.
"Vladimir Putin has shown an unwillingness to be reasonable and to talk seriously about brokering a peace, and I think we have to send him a message — that's my view," he stated.
Sanctions bill
In April, Senator Lindsey Graham introduced bill S.1241, known as the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. The legislation proposes imposing 500% tariffs on imports of Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other raw materials. It also includes "secondary sanctions," meaning the same tariffs would apply to countries continuing to trade with Russia.
Additionally, the bill outlines further measures such as restrictions on Russian officials and financial institutions, and a US ban on the import of Russian energy resources.
The initiative enjoys broad bipartisan support in the Senate, with over 80 co-sponsors.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said he had discussed potential new sanctions against Russia with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
