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Senator Lindsey Graham is moving bills quickly to punish countries that are still buying oil, gas or uranium as President Donald Trump continues to seek a peace deal that hasn’t happened yet.
The bill, called the 2025 Russian Sanctions Act, will enforce major economic consequences if President Vladimir Putin ignores peace talks and continues to invade Ukraine again.
According to Wall Street JournalGraham said Wednesday that the bill already has more than 60 co-sponsors, clearing the Senate filibuster barrier. He expects at least 67 supporters by the weekend.
Support comes from both parties. It includes Senate majority leader John Toon. There is also Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate minority.
Graham said the growing list should send a clear message to the White House and Russia that the Senate is ready to act if peace breaks down.
“I let him know what we were doing,” Graham said of Trump. “And I’m not going to speak for the president, but I hope he will succeed. I’m a bit optimistic that I can get there, but we can’t keep this forever.”
Graham responds to stagnant peace efforts with sanctions
The timing of Graham’s move is alongside Trump’s stagnant efforts to stop the war in Ukraine, which began when Russia launched a full invasion in 2022.
If Russia agreed, Ukraine had offered a 30-day ceasefire in March, but Putin refused. Instead, he proposed a short hiatus in combat between May 8th and May 10th during the Russian annual parade celebrating the end of World War II.
Earlier this month, Trump said he had no intention of stopping the war, as it could be that Putin was dragging him in. Graham supported the idea. “It’s obvious to me and I think it’s clear to President Trump that the Russians are playing the game,” he said.
Despite Trump previously talking about possible sanctions, he has not taken firm action. Graham worked with Senator Richard Blumenthal to introduce the bill in early April.
It imposes major and secondary sanctions on governments that support the war in Russia and Ukraine. They also slap 500% tariffs on goods from countries that still buy Russian oil, gas or uranium.
Graham’s office said the tariff portion of the bill would hit China, India and Iran the most violent. His spokesman, Taylor Riedy, said it could affect European allies as well, but discussions with officials from Germany, France, Poland and the UK showed they agreed that it was time for them to take their side.
Graham says pressure on the building has risen after the new Russian attack
While some European countries have reduced Russia’s dependence on energy, the EU reported in 2024 that Russia still provided 17% of its gas and 18% of its liquefied natural gas imports.
Graham called the bill’s sanctions “bone shattering.” He said the Senate would respond proactively if Putin did not agree to the peace that was negotiated immediately. “Unless there is a peace negotiated soon, I am sure the Senate will move in an overwhelming way to hit Russia hard.”
He said he would rather see a diplomatic end, and the bill said the bill would give Trump a room to finish his speech. However, he insisted that the Senate was tired of waiting.
“Most members of the Senate resist Putin’s finding a negotiated solution to the war and believe he is brave and wild in his actions against Ukraine,” Graham said. “By co-hosting this bill, I think the senators are making a rather clear statement that they consider Russia to be the greatest criminal here.”
In the House, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick introduced a bill that was in line with. It has 26 co-sponsors and is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Graham believes that if you get the vote it’s easy to pass.
“The bill has legs, and really strong legs,” said Blumenthal, who spoke in person with Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky. Blumenthal said the bill “sents Putin a bone-chilling message that Parliament is steady and determined behind the people of Ukrainians.” When asked how long Congress would wait before moving, Graham said, “We’ve been talking for a few weeks.”
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