US set to slam Putin with crushing sanctions in just days
Photo: Lindsey Graham (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The US Senate is ready to approve a bill on tough sanctions against Russia if Vladimir Putin does not show a desire for peace within a few days, according to the bill's authors, Senators Richard Blumenthal (Democrat) and Lindsey Graham (Republican).
The bill on sanctions against Russia for its barbaric invasion of Ukraine has received 81 co-sponsors in the US Senate.
These sanctions would be imposed if Russia refuses to negotiate in good faith a lasting peace with Ukraine or engages in other efforts, including military intervention, that undermine Ukraine's sovereignty after peace is concluded. The law also establishes a 500% tariff on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products.
Conditions for approving the bill
According to the bill's authors, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Russia has agreed to provide its terms of the ceasefire in the next few days.
“Its contents will speak volumes as to whether or not Russia is serious about peace. We suspect it will be more of the same. If it is more of the same, Russia can expect decisive action from the United States Senate,” the statement said.
The senators note that the bill isolates Russia by placing it on a trade island and imposing stiff tariffs on other countries that support these atrocities. One of the main priorities is to hold China accountable for supporting Putin's war machine by buying cheap Russian oil from the shadow fleet. Without China's economic support, Putin's war machine would come to a standstill, the statement said.
“While we yearn for peace, it is increasingly clear to us – and a supermajority of the Senate – that Putin is playing games. The United States Senate stands ready to act if these games continue,” the senators added.
Senators Graham and Blumenthal introduced the sanctions bill in late April. Graham said that he had enough support in the House of Representatives to introduce the sanctions bill there as well. The bill is also not likely to be vetoed by Donald Trump, as 67 votes in the Senate are needed to override a veto, and the bill is supported by 81.
According to Ukrainian former presidential adviser Oleh Ustenko, if the US law is approved, Russia could lose about $150 billion, which is almost 40% of its military budget.
