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US senator: Stop giving Putin extra time, vote on 500% sanctions now
Ten days. That’s how long Donald Trump gave Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine before facing new American punishment.
But will Congress wait that long?
Senator Richard Blumenthal thinks not. The Connecticut Democrat wants an immediate vote on sweeping Russia sanctions legislation, telling Suspilne News that Putin “does not deserve additional time.”
What happens on day eleven? A White House official explained Trump’s threat to CNN: 100% tariffs on Russian imports plus secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil.
Blumenthal and his Republican co-author Lindsey Graham have been pushing the sanctions bill since April. Eighty-one senators support it. Yet it sits in limbo while Trump experiments with presidential ultimatums.
“Everything the president is doing is in the right direction, but I strongly advocate for sanctions to be 500%, not 100%,” Blumenthal said.
Blumenthal emphasized the importance of demonstrating unity between the executive branch and Congress on Ukraine policy.
Republican Senator Roger Marshall offered a different perspective, telling Suspilne News that Trump should be given “maximum flexibility” during the 10-day period. However, Marshall acknowledged that “Putin is not responding to anything” and advocated for comprehensive sanctions including potential banking sector measures and secondary sanctions.
Graham takes a harder line. If Putin won’t negotiate, Trump should target China and India—Russia’s biggest oil customers.
“He can do this through an executive order or through legislative initiative in Congress,” Graham told Suspilne News.
Can they actually pass this thing? The numbers look good. Blumenthal counts 85 Senate supporters and believes they can reach 90 votes if needed.
Despite this backing and failed ceasefire negotiations in Istanbul, Trump had previously stated in May that Washington would not impose additional Russia sanctions.
Moscow’s response? Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the deadline but said Russia’s “special military operation” continues and negotiations require momentum from both sides.
This stance reflects their determination to sustain the war despite international pressure and economic measures intended to weaken Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukraine keeps destroying Russian military assets faster than Moscow can replace them. The senators argue economic pressure should match that pace.
Graham puts it simply: “The president will increase pressure on Russia’s clients to get Putin to the negotiating table.”
Whether that pressure comes through congressional action or Trump’s executive measures may depend on how the next few days unfold. Putin’s silence on Trump’s deadline suggests he’s betting the president won’t follow through.
