House Speaker Johnson backs tougher sanctions on Russia

    
• Mike Johnson supports tightening sanctions against Russia.
• The talks in Istanbul did not yield the expected results.
• The U.S. Congress is waiting for a signal from the White House.

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, expressed his support for imposing tougher sanctions on Russia. This decision responds to the lack of progress in talks between Russia and Ukraine, which took place in Istanbul. Russia presented Ukraine with conditions that are impossible to accept, prompting American politicians to consider further actions.

There's many members of Congress that want us to sanction Russia as strongly as we can. And I'm an advocate of that, — said Johnson.

Johnson, as the highest-ranking Republican advocating for additional sanctions, emphasized that many members of Congress want to impose the strictest possible sanctions on Russia. He assured that the Senate "also stands ready to provide President Trump with any tools he needs to get Russia to finally come to the table in a real way." However, Johnson is waiting for the green light from the White House.

The sanctions bill, prepared by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, aims to impose sanctions on Russia's energy and banking sectors and introduces high tariffs on crude oil. This bill, described as "bone-breaking," aims to pressure Russia into engaging in real negotiations.

The Democratic leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, criticized President Trump for his lack of decisive action towards Russia. — Putin is a clear villain and a bully. So where is Donald Trump's backbone? Where is his conviction? — Schumer asked, emphasizing the need for a firm stance against Russia.

The decision to impose new sanctions on Russia could be made in the coming weeks. President Trump, despite earlier declarations of wanting to reach an agreement, may be forced to take firmer steps under political and international pressure.