Translated with AI
The US Senate has announced its intention to put a bill on new anti-Russian sanctions to a vote in the coming days if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not provide real measures to end the war in Ukraine. This is stated in a joint statement by the document's co-authors, Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Republican Lindsey Graham, dated May 21.
The senators emphasized that Moscow had previously promised to provide a document with the terms of a ceasefire, as Secretary Rubio of the Senate Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations noted. However, in their opinion, the content of this document will be decisive: if it does not demonstrate the seriousness of Russia's intentions, the US government will take decisive measures.
"We suspect that things will be much the same as before. It is becoming increasingly clear to us, and to the majority in the Senate, that Putin is playing a game," the senators said in a statement. At the same time, if the situation does not change, the bill, which has already received support by more than 80 votes, will be put to a vote.
The proposed bill would impose both primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and entities that support the Kremlin's aggressive policies. In particular, the bill would significantly increase tariffs — up to 500% — on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other energy. Senators emphasized that one of the bill's priority goals is to ensure that China is held accountable for supporting the Russian military machine through the purchase of cheap Russian oil supplied by the "shadow fleet." According to them, without China's economic support, it will be more difficult for the Russian defense industry to obtain the resources it needs.
In the context of the international situation and diplomatic efforts to end military actions in Ukraine, the announced measures of the Senate became another indicator of the readiness of the American leadership to take tough sanctions steps in the absence of real actions from Moscow.
Recall that in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources, US President Donald Trump said at a meeting with European leaders that Putin was deliberately prolonging the conflict because he considered himself the winner. These statements contradict Trump’s public statements about his belief in Putin’s sincere desire for peace.
Thus, the US Senate remains on guard for measures to end the war and is ready to take additional sanctions if Russia does not change its strategy.
