The US Senate is preparing to provide Donald Trump with additional leverage to oppose Vladimir Putin, planning to do so without any easing measures, hinting at further sanctions and other tools of influence
American Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated this, emphasizing that the current policy towards Russia must be significantly tougher due to Moscow's aggressive behavior and capricious actions. In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Graham announced that the Senate is already actively working on changes to approaches towards Russia in order to create opportunities for new, more effective means of influencing Putin. According to the senator, what is particularly concerning is the unpredictable and often destructive policies of the Russian leader, which compel the United States to act more decisively. “Given his behavior and refusal to be reasonable, the Senate will soon give Trump even more tools in his arsenal — and these will not be carrots,” Graham emphasized. He noted that he commends the efforts of the previous president regarding dialogue with the Kremlin, including contacts with Putin in attempts to bring him to the negotiating table — but he underscores that success in this area is only possible if there are reliable partners willing to engage in constructive dialogue and concrete decisions. Graham stresses that the upcoming steps should be tough and targeted. “Of course, considering Putin’s behavior and his refusal to be reasonable, the Senate will soon grant Trump even more leverage in his arsenal — and these will not be carrots,” he stated. According to him, such an approach is necessary to deter Russian aggression and to protect Ukraine’s interests. Regarding current legislative initiatives, it is worth noting that previously, Senators Richard Blumenthal (Democrat) and Lindsey Graham, along with 80 co-authors, submitted a bill proposing to strengthen economic sanctions against Moscow in response to its refusal to agree to a ceasefire. The plan includes, in particular, imposing a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries purchasing Russian oil, which would significantly hinder Russia’s economic activities and increase pressure on its leadership. It should be noted that these initiatives enjoy support not only in the House of Representatives but also in other bodies of the American legislative branch. Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt hinted that the final decision on possible sanctions against Russia will be made by President Trump, who is focused on balancing diplomacy and security measures in the region. Overall, tensions are rising in Washington, along with a readiness for decisive action against Moscow, as changing political dynamics, increased military conflicts, and security challenges create new opportunities to intensify pressure on the Kremlin with the aim of changing its aggressive policies and maintaining stability in the European region.