Camilla Jessen
A bipartisan group in the U.S. Senate is proposing crushing new sanctions.
The U.S. Senate is turning up the pressure on Russia — and on any country still doing energy business with Moscow.
On May 21, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D) and Lindsey Graham (R) announced a new bipartisan bill that would introduce sweeping sanctions, including a 500% tariff on imported goods from countries that purchase Russian energy resources, such as oil, gas, and uranium.
The proposal is gaining momentum, with 81 senators reportedly backing the bill.
The lawmakers say the move is a direct response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing military aggression and the lack of serious engagement in peace negotiations over Ukraine.
“Putin Is Playing Games”
The joint statement on Blumenthal’s official Senate website was:
While we yearn for peace, it is increasingly clear to us – and a supermajority of the Senate – that Putin is playing games. The United States Senate stands ready to act if these games continue.
According to the bill, the massive tariffs would target nations still importing Russian energy, sending a sharp message not just to Moscow, but also to countries helping to keep Russia’s economy afloat by buying its key exports.
Tariff as Pressure
Though the U.S. has already banned the import of most Russian oil and gas products, this bill would go a step further by penalizing third-party countries — potentially including China, India, and others — that continue to buy Russian energy and then trade goods with the U.S.
The bill’s design appears intended to indirectly pressure countries that support Russia economically, by making it costly to maintain trade with both Russia and the United States.
Countdown to Sanctions Vote
Senator Graham said the Senate is prepared to vote on this legislation soon if there is no progress in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
On May 20, Graham warned that “if there’s no movement toward a resolution, the Senate will act decisively.”
At the same time, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that increasing pressure is the only way to bring Putin to the negotiating table.
“Only intensified measures can push Russia to take talks seriously,” Kallas said.