Senators tout Russia sanctions bill as ‘sledgehammer’ for Trump to end war in Ukraine

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal are urging quick action by the US as Russia escalates its war in Ukraine, including the passage of a bipartisan bill they’ve introduced implementing sanctions on Moscow that they say could be the “sledgehammer” President Donald Trump needs to end the conflict.

The legislation, which would allow the president to levy a 500% tariff on imports from countries that purchase Russian uranium, gas and oil, has gained momentum in the Senate as Trump has signaled he will escalate US action against Russia.

“(Blumenthal) and I have got 85 co-sponsors in the United States Senate for congressional sanctions with a sledgehammer available to President Trump to go after Putin’s economy and all those countries who prop up the Putin war machine,” Graham said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump told reporters later Sunday that “we will see tomorrow” when asked whether he would announce sanctions against Russia, noting he’ll meet on Monday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

“I am very disappointed with President Putin, and I thought he was somebody that meant what he said, and he’ll talk so beautifully, and then he’ll bomb people at night. We don’t like that,” Trump added.