A group of 50 US senators, both Republicans and Democrats, has issued a warning to Russia, threatening to impose new sanctions unless the country engages in peace talks with Ukraine.
The bipartisan group stated that sanctions would be introduced if Russia refuses to enter negotiations for a lasting peace agreement with Ukraine or if it takes any action that threatens Ukraine’s sovereignty following such a peace deal. Additionally, a proposed bill calls for a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that purchase Russian oil, gas, and uranium.
“We believe that Russia is the aggressor, and this horrific war, along with Putin’s aggression, must end immediately and never happen again,” the senators declared in their statement.
The initiative has garnered support from both sides of the political aisle, uniting 25 Republicans and 25 Democrats, making it a highly impactful legislative move. The senators emphasized that if the sanctions are put to a vote, they would receive substantial, bipartisan backing in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The move comes in the wake of Donald Trump’s evolving stance on Russia. After initially pursuing closer ties with Moscow, the former president, now a key figure in US politics, has shifted his tone, recently expressing frustration with Vladimir Putin. In an interview with NBC, Trump stated that he was “angry” at Putin and warned of new tariffs on Russian oil.
“If Russia and I are unable to reach an agreement to end the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I believe Russia is to blame, I will impose secondary tariffs on all oil exports leaving Russia,” Trump said during the interview.
This statement signals a more aggressive approach to Russia under Trump’s influence, even as his political trajectory continues to play a critical role in shaping US foreign policy.
