Senate goes on vacation without passing sanctions against Russia
3 August 2025 01:07
The U.S. Senate is going to go on summer recess without passing a bill to impose sanctions on Russia. Thus, US President Donald Trump is given the exclusive right to decide whether or not to impose the promised sanctions against Russia.
This was reported by The Hill. It was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian".
Trump recently said that he was reducing the period for imposing new sanctions against Russia to 10-12 days. According to the publication, this period should end by August 8, unless Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin agrees to a truce.
Also, not only Russia but also countries that buy oil from it may suffer from the new duties. The publication points out that as a warning, the head of the White House announced the introduction of 25% tariffs against India, which is one of the main importers of Russian energy. It is noteworthy that the US Congress bill proposed to impose secondary duties of 500%.
It is pointed out that although the senators are in favor of supporting Ukraine and wanted the bill to be passed before they leave for a month-long vacation, at least until the end of the summer, the decision on the advisability of imposing sanctions against Russia now remains entirely in Trump’s hands.
“I think he’s going to be very cautious in what he does. But I think he’s clearly frustrated with Putin and is now starting to recognize that many of us were right,” said Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota.
According to the newspaper, Democrats are skeptical that Trump will punish Putin, even though he is increasingly frustrated by the Kremlin leader’s unwillingness to agree to a truce.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who co-authored the sanctions bill with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, said he would consider it a victory if Trump imposed even a fifth of the restrictions they proposed in the document.
“In our bill, we propose 500% (of the duty – ed.). If it is 250%, I can live with it. Even if it is 100%, maybe. But you have to impose tough sanctions that will stop them from fueling the Russian military machine,” Blumenthal said.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen pointed to Trump’s 25% tariff against India as another indication of influence on Russia.
“Obviously, India has taken notice. I think it’s positive progress that the president is looking for ways to put more pressure on Russia,” Shaheen said.
Graham said that Trump has “adopted a theory of the case” to go after those countries that buy Russian oil and do not provide assistance to Ukraine.
“I think the bill, as you say, gives him leverage, and we’re in constructive negotiations, so stay tuned,” Graham added.
