"Many members of legislature want us to impose sanctions on Russia as strong as possible. And I am a supporter of this," Johnson stated on Monday, but he had not yet talked to president Donald Trump about it. Johnson is the highest ranking Republican who advocated imposing additional sanctions on Russia. organization leader in the legislature John Thune besides declared on Monday that the legislature "is ready to give president Trump all the tools he needs to get Russia to come to the negotiations in a real way."
"President Trump has spent quite a few time on efforts to end the bloodshed in Ukraine, but Vladimir Putin seems more curious in prolonging the war than in seeking peace," Thune said. The politician suggested that the draft law on sanctions, tabled in April and signed by 82 out of 100 senators, could be considered this week. However, he made it clear that he was inactive waiting for the “green light” from the White House.
Here's the "breaking bones" package
The bill by Republican Lindsey Graham and politician Richard Blumenthal — named by Graham a "breaking bones" package and the most severe sanctions always seen in legislature — orders the administration to impose sanctions on entities in Russia's energy and banking sector, as well as 500-proc. customs duties on countries buying oil from it.
For a long time, Congressionals of both parties have been pushing for sanctions in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. On Monday, a fresh impetus was given to the negotiations of the Russian and Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, where Russia presented Ukraine with impossible conditions, including the surrender of territories that Russia does not occupy and the simplification of the Ukrainian army's numbers. Russia besides one more time rejected the proposal to suspend its arms.
Democrats push for sanctions
On Monday, Democratic leaders besides urged the legislature to impose sanctions.
“Putin is an apparent villain and thug. So where's Donald Trump's spine? Where is the hardness he likes to show?" said organization leader Chuck Schumer at the Senate. His deputy Dick Durbin claimed in turn that while Republicans are ready to introduce fresh sanctions, they hear instructions from the White home to abstain.
Donald Trump has been harshly critical of Putin in fresh days and has threatened to impose sanctions, but has so far refused a clear declaration that he will do so, claiming he does not want to do so until he believes there is simply a chance of reaching an agreement. On Friday, he stated that a decision on sanctions would be taken within the next week or two.
As said by PAP, a diplomat from 1 of the NATO states — whom Graham keeps informed of the advancement of the task — although president Trump most likely does not want to antagonize relations with Putin, he may shortly be forced to do so by circumstances and political pressure.” “At any point the critical mass will gather, erstwhile he simply cannot hold it off any longer. And he's just losing it politically," the interviewer said.
