From: Ostar Yarysh — In the US Senate, impatience for the introduction of sanctions against Russia is noticeably growing. Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal’s bipartisan bill has already garnered support for 81 out of 100 senators. These days in Washington, it is a difficult task to rally so many senators around an idea.
“Although we seek peace, it is becoming increasingly obvious to us – and the supermajority of the Senate – that Putin is playing games. If these games go on, the United States Senate is ready for action,” Graham and Blumenthal said in a joint statement. The Mirror Bill was also presented in the House of Representatives.
In addition to direct sanctions, the bill provides for secondary sanctions and the introduction of 500% tariffs on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products. First and foremost, this is related to China. “Without China’s economic support, Putin’s military car will completely stop,” the authors of the document write.
Meanwhile, Republicans are waiting for the green light from Donald Trump to take the initiative to get down the ballot. The position was held by Republican majority leader Senator John Tun – and it is shared by part of the party. Although some may disagree with this.
“I respect the position of the leader Tun. But at some point, you just can’t ignore the 81 signatures,” Senator Kevin Kraemer of North Dakota commented to reporters.
“I don’t need anyone’s directions. Been waiting for a long time now. It’s pretty clear to me that Putin has been nailing us for months now, and I don’t think the United States should put up with this. We need to bring the bill to a vote and punish Putin,” Indiana Senator Todd Young said.
“We want to move forward – so that Putin knows that we are determined to be serious. He’s giving President Trump a headache. “We don’t like that,” said Iowa Senator Joni Ernst.
Many in Washington hoped from the White House to agree on sanctions after a meeting in Istanbul and Russia’s further refusal of a truce. However, after a phone conversation with Putin, Trump said he has no intention of imposing restrictions – at least so far. “I think there is a chance for progress – and imposing sanctions can be made much worse. Although there may be a time when that happens.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio repeated this position at the Senate hearings. “If you start threatening sanctions, the Russians will stop talking to us.” With that, he added that in the absence of progress on the part of Russia, the White House will consider such a step.
At the same time, Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal said that if Russia does not present a serious plan for a truce in the coming days, the United States will not delay. According to journalists, some senators are insisting on voting on sanctions after the Memorial Day weekend. This year it falls on May 26.
Voice of Ukraine 