For months, President Donald Trump has tried to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table. "He’s left the door open to Russia, despite imposing tariffs on countries that allow fentanyl to pour into America, along with other bad behavior. That door is about to slam shut," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on 13/7.

Graham, a close ally of President Trump, is working with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal to push for a new sanctions bill targeting Russia. Graham asserted the bill would be a "sledgehammer for President Trump to hit the Russian economy and every country helping them sustain the war in Ukraine".

President Trump has repeatedly warned of his readiness to impose additional sanctions on Russia if negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv fail to reach a ceasefire agreement, while criticizing President Putin for delaying the dialogue process.

Senator Lindsey Graham at the White House on 28/2. Photo: AFP

Senator Lindsey Graham at the White House on 28/2. Photo: AFP

Graham expressed confidence that Washington is at a "major turning point" regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

He stated the bipartisan bill would allow President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500% on Russia and any country supporting Moscow, noting that the president would have the authority to adjust the tariff rate up or down.

"This is truly a sledgehammer that President Trump can use to end the war," Graham emphasized, adding that Washington is preparing to accelerate arms aid to Kyiv "at record levels" and considering options to use frozen Russian assets to generate financial support for Ukraine.

Graham and Blumenthal introduced the bill in April and have garnered the support of 85 co-sponsors. The proposal to increase sanctions on Russia has recently gained widespread support from both Democrats and Republicans, as President Trump has publicly expressed his disappointment with Moscow.

The two US senators also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week and revealed the draft sanctions measures targeting Russia. After the meeting, the Ukrainian President praised the bill, saying "it will certainly be a lever that can bring peace closer and ensure that diplomacy is not empty".

Moscow has repeatedly condemned US and Western sanctions against Russia as contrary to international law. The Kremlin also believes that the West is exploiting the conflict in Ukraine to restrain Russia's development opportunities.

However, President Putin believes the sanctions have backfired, helping Russia become more self-reliant and less dependent on foreign markets. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov also stated that Washington's tactic of imposing associated tariffs will not fundamentally change the conflict situation and that Moscow will continue on its "independent, sovereign, and sustainable path".

Thanh Danh (RT, CBS, Reuters)