The Hill: Senate Wants To Strike An Even Bigger Blow Against Russian Federation

Amid Trump's policy shift.

Senators are hoping to seize the moment when US President Donald Trump changes his stance on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, but Republicans remain careful not to get ahead of the leader. This is according to The Hill.

The announcement of sanctions against Russia was welcomed by Kiev and its supporters, so Republican and Democratic senators are preparing the ground to impose a number of other restrictions against Putin.

In particular, on Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee tabled three bills that seek to deal an economic blow to Russia and its henchmen.

"They (the bills - ed.) provide for the recognition of Russia as a state supporting terrorism for the kidnapping of Ukrainian children; strengthening the U.S. ability to confiscate frozen Russian assets; and the authority to impose sanctions against Chinese accomplices of the Russian military," the material notes.

The Hill writes, however, that these bills are unlikely to pass unless Trump gives the green light to do so.

"I'm not sure anything will move without the president's approval; we're still trying to act as a team on this issue. But we discuss it every day. I think when the time is right, we'll implement those plans, but we want to make sure we do it right and we're clear on the authority we give the president on sanctions. We want to do it right," Senator Mike Rounds (Republican of South Dakota) added in an interview with The Hill.

The publication recalled that Trump's influence over the Republican-controlled Congress has made that body almost irrelevant in his efforts to end the war in Ukraine and Gaza. Given the government shutdown and the lack of a clear date for the House to return, any Senate vote would be blocked in the lower chamber.

"I don't think Putin is as smitten with Congress as he is with talking to the president," emphasized Senator Jim Risch (Republican of Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

At the same time, Senator Tom Tillis partially agreed with Risch, but noted that any delay in the sanctions bill against Russia is part of coordination with the White House to show a united front.

"I want to make it clear that we are acting in unison with the president, and I believe that the U.S. Senate's vote in favor of a sanctions package that is in line with the administration's wishes will give more weight. And that they [Russia] will notice it," Tillis added.

In turn, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (South Dakota Republican) has signaled that he may bring up a veto-proof bill that would impose sanctions on foreign countries that buy Russian oil, an action that has been in limbo for months due to Trump's opposition.

"John said we'll get it done in 30 days, and we will get it done in 30 days," Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican of South Carolina) assured The Hill on Wednesday.

It is known that Graham is a co-sponsor of the sanctions bill along with Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat of Connecticut). Among the provisions of this bill is a 500% duty on countries that help finance Russia's war in Ukraine.

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