Congress Launches Extensive Investigation into Trump’s Administration’s Inaction on Russia Sanctions
The United States is currently engaged in a significant political inquiry aimed at uncovering the reasons behind the lack of new sanctions imposed on Russia since Donald Trump assumed office as president in January this year. Three influential Democratic senators—Jeanne Shaheen, Elizabeth Warren, and Chris Coons—initiated this investigation on Thursday, accusing the former administration of delaying the application of critical economic sanctions that could increase pressure on Moscow and potentially hasten the end of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. According to legislators, since January, the U.S. has not introduced any new restrictions against Russia, and in some cases, existing sanctions have even been eased. Such inactivity, they argue, merely grants Vladimir Putin the opportunity to continue his aggressive policies and deepen military conflict. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has imposed over 6,200 sanctions targeting Russian entities involved in trade, finance, and military support, but critics contend these measures are insufficient and less effective compared to what could be achieved. Lawmakers stress that the absence of fresh sanctions allows Russia to persist with its violent actions and to find loopholes through which weapons and supplies are transferred, especially with the ongoing blockade of key aid to Ukraine. Despite Trump’s public promises of a quick resolution of the war, his administration’s actual policies appear inconsistent with these assurances. Senators accuse his inaction of enabling Russia to act with impunity, thereby bolstering its military and diplomatic position. The current freeze on sanctions and export controls, along with disrupted arms supplies to Ukraine, creates favorable conditions for circumventing restrictions via China and other countries, further threatening Ukrainian security. Political critics emphasize that this stance prolongs the war and encourages further Russian aggression. The investigation is set against the backdrop of recent reports that the Pentagon temporarily halted the delivery of certain air defense systems and precision weapons to Ukraine, a decision made public only this week and widely criticized by Democratic leaders. They describe such moves as strategic and moral errors that undermine Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself. Pentagon spokesperson Shawn Parnell clarified that these decisions are part of a broader assessment of U.S. military stocks, highlighting that the U.S. cannot supply weapons to everyone worldwide and must prioritize their own security. However, senators and opposition voices argue that this approach effectively allows Moscow to escalate its assault with impunity. They call for reinstating sanctions on Moscow, regularly identifying companies supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex, and uniting with G7 allies to increase pressure on the Kremlin. The lawmakers insist that only decisive, coordinated action can bring about a fair and lasting peace and that the longer Putin persists in his brutal aggression against innocent Ukrainians, the steeper the price he will pay.