US Senate Signals Readiness to Vote on Russia Sanctions if Ukraine Peace Talks Fail

The US Senate is prepared to vote on a sanctions bill targeting Russia if peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine fail to make progress soon, Senator Lindsey Graham said on May 20, as reported by Voice of America journalist Tetiana Vorozhko.

“If the next few days are like the last few months, then you can just count on us moving, because I think it's our job to try to help the world end this war,” Graham said during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

Graham emphasized the global implications of the war and added that the war must end in a way that deters future conflicts.

“Afghanistan was a disaster. If we fail to handle Ukraine properly, and the world sees that Putin got away with it, that would be even worse—worse than Afghanistan,” he warned.

The sanctions bill, introduced in early April by Senators Graham and Richard Blumenthal, would impose sweeping penalties on Russia. It includes a proposed 500% tariff on imports from countries that purchase Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or uranium.
According to Graham, the bill has the backing of 72 senators—a clear majority in the chamber.

Previously on May 19, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov shared details of a recent phone conversation between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

According to Ushakov, the discussion opened with the situation in Ukraine and evolved into a broader exchange on international cooperation and bilateral ties.

DEFENSE

Support the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Donate Towards Robots, as Well as Other Military Equipment and Supplies to Help Ukraine’s Defenders Fight Off Russian Invaders

Donate