Washington D.C. – Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina announced that President Donald Trump has given the “green light” to a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia. The announcement follows a meeting between the Senator and the President on Wednesday.
In a statement released following the meeting, Senator Graham stated, “I look forward to a strong bipartisan vote, hopefully within the next week.” The bill, which Graham has been working on for several months with both Republican and Democratic colleagues, aims to impose sanctions on countries that engage in significant commercial transactions with Russia.
A key component of the proposed legislation focuses on countries that purchase Russian energy exports. The rationale behind this measure is to pressure Moscow to engage in meaningful negotiations towards a peace agreement with Ukraine. The bill seeks to penalize entities that, according to sponsors, are effectively funding Russia’s military aggression through their energy purchases.
“This bill will allow President Trump to sanction those countries that are buying cheap Russian oil, thereby funding Putin’s war machine,” Graham explained. He specifically identified China, India, and Brazil as potential targets of the legislation, given their significant energy trade relationships with Russia.
The proposed sanctions are intended to serve as a deterrent, compelling nations to reconsider their economic ties with Russia and encouraging a more assertive stance against what lawmakers perceive as destabilizing actions. The bill’s supporters express confidence that it will send a strong message to Moscow and its international partners.
Further details on the specific provisions of the bill and its potential economic impact are expected to emerge as the legislation moves forward. The bill’s passage through Congress is anticipated to be closely watched by international observers.
