GOP senators urge President Trump to endorse economic pressure as Russia escalates deadly attacks

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are intensifying calls for President Donald Trump to endorse a sweeping new sanctions package aimed at forcing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, after recent efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine have collapsed amid renewed violence.

The push for a harder stance comes as Trump publicly vented his frustration with Putin, accusing the Kremlin leader of escalating attacks while sidestepping ceasefire overtures. On Monday, Trump sharply rebuked Putin in a post on Truth Social, warning he is “playing with fire” following Russia’s largest wave of missile and drone strikes in months.

As the war drags into its third year, several GOP senators—led by South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham—are urging Trump to support new sanctions that would escalate economic pressure on Russia and its global backers. “I appreciate all that President @realDonaldTrump has done to try to end this terrible war,” Graham wrote on X. “But to end any war, you must have willing partners. As of yet, Putin is not willing.”

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley echoed the call for decisive action. “I believe president trump was sincere when he thought his friendship w Putin wld end the war,” Grassley posted. “Now that being the case ITS TIME FOR SANCTIONS STRONG ENUF SO PUTIN KNOWS ‘game over.’”

Trump is reportedly weighing his options after Putin rebuffed diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict. His consideration of the sanctions has prompted renewed optimism among senators eager to act, despite skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of such measures.

Critics point out that a broad array of U.S.-led sanctions levied during the Biden administration had limited impact, with some arguing they inadvertently strengthened Russia’s alliances with adversarial nations. As previously reported, these measures may have had the unintended consequence of deepening economic ties between Russia and China.

Still, Graham and his bipartisan allies believe the new sanctions bill—crafted alongside Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut—will deliver a stronger blow. The legislation, introduced in April, has already secured 80 Senate cosponsors, including all GOP leadership and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

The bill would implement a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other exports. Graham argued in a letter to the Wall Street Journal that the measure, developed in coordination with the White House, “would put Russia on a trade island.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated the legislation could advance swiftly if Trump endorses it. “It’s time for him [Putin] to come to the table in good faith and make a serious proposal for an immediate ceasefire that can lead to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Thune said on the Senate floor Thursday. “If Russia is not willing to engage in serious diplomacy, the Senate will work with the Trump administration to consider additional sanctions to force Putin to start negotiating.”

Graham has also accused China of enabling Russia’s war effort, citing alleged Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces and expanding economic cooperation. “This latest outrage by Russia will not go unaddressed,” Graham said Sunday, referencing a wave of recent attacks that killed at least 13 Ukrainian civilians. “Without China’s support, Putin’s war machine comes to a halt.”

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a close Trump ally, argued the time for diplomatic illusions is over. “Putin will only stop if he has no choice,” Gingrich posted on X. “Any other strategy is wishful thinking which will extend the war and cost more innocent lives.”

With Trump now mulling his next move amid the breakdown of backchannel diplomacy, the Senate appears poised to act. Whether the proposed sanctions will mark a turning point in the conflict—or repeat the missteps of prior efforts—may soon become clear.