Sanctions against Russia. Trump wants to ease the law
President Donald Trump is urging Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to moderate the language in his proposed legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia, the Wall Street Journal reports. According to the newspaper, Trump is concerned that the sanctions, as currently framed, could undermine efforts to reset U.S.-Russia relations.
According to the Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump has in recent days been discreetly urging Senator Lindsey Graham—sponsor of a bill proposing sweeping new sanctions against Russia—to revise the legislation in a way that would grant the president discretion over their enforcement. Rather than mandating new restrictions, Trump is pushing for language that would allow him the option to impose sanctions, without obligating him to do so.
A White House official cited by the Journal emphasized that the U.S. Constitution places the responsibility for foreign affairs in the president’s hands, arguing that any sanctions legislation must leave the executive branch with the flexibility needed to carry out its diplomatic strategy.
But according to the daily, the main reason for Trump's pressure is fear that sanctions "could harm his goal of resurrecting US-Russia relations."
When asked about the proposed legislation during a Thursday meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Trump said he had yet to examine the bill in detail. However, he acknowledged that it was a "tough" piece of legislation and made clear that Congress would ultimately align with his position on the matter. He also stated that he would impose additional sanctions on Russia only if he deemed the war impossible to stop through diplomatic means.
New Sanctions Against Russia
The bill, introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, would require the U.S. administration to impose sanctions targeting key entities in Russia’s energy and banking sectors. It also includes provisions for a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that knowingly continue purchasing Russian oil and other natural resources. Senator Graham has since indicated a willingness to amend the bill to exempt nations that provide substantial assistance to Ukraine—potentially shielding European countries still buying Russian oil and gas from those punitive tariffs.
On Thursday, Senator Graham expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects, noting that he was actively collaborating with the White House, Democratic lawmakers, and members of the House of Representatives. He emphasized that the legislative effort remains "in motion."
According to a Democratic congressman who spoke with the Polish Press Agency (PAP), despite President Trump’s stance, some Republican lawmakers in the House are gathering signatures to trigger a procedural motion that would force a vote on the bill. He claimed the initiative is expected to garner backing from nearly all opposition members and a segment of Republican representatives—potentially securing the required majority. However, the bill faces a more uncertain path in the Senate, where Republican leadership has signaled it will likely align with the president’s position on the matter.
