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Trump's ultimatum: US Senate puts Russian sanctions on hold – Politico

Ivanna Kostina, STANISLAV POHORILOV — Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 14:11

US Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he will not promote a package of sanctions against Russia's trading partners after US President Donald Trump had issued an ultimatum to Russia to encourage Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to move towards a peace deal with Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing Politico

Quote from Thune: "It sounds like right now the president is going to attempt to do some of this on his own. If at some point the president concludes that it makes sense and adds value and leverage that he needs in those negotiations to move the bill, then we’ll do it. We’ll be ready to go."

The bill, drafted by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal and with 85 co-sponsors in the Senate, authorises Trump to impose secondary tariffs of at least 500 per cent on imports from countries such as China, Brazil and India that still trade with Russia.

Thune suggested that Trump's threat means the Senate will no longer need to pass the Graham-Blumenthal bill.

"We are going to try as best we can ... coordinate strategies with the White House, obviously with the House," Thune said.

Action in the House of Representatives also appeared unlikely following Trump's statements. Asked whether sanctions legislation would emerge before the House adjourns for summer recess at the end of this month, Majority Leader Steve Scalise said: "Not right now".

Ukrainska Pravda