Trump Endorses Bipartisan Senate Bill to Expand Sanctions on Russia Amid Rising Tensions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has given his backing to a bipartisan Senate sanctions bill aimed at crippling Russia’s ability to finance its ongoing war efforts, Sen. Lindsey Graham announced Wednesday. The legislation, which could come to a Senate vote as early as next week, targets Russian industries and countries such as China and India that continue purchasing Russian oil.
After a meeting with the president, Graham, a key sponsor of the bill, said, “He greenlit the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that I have been working on for months with Senator Richard Blumenthal and many others.” He emphasized the urgency of the measure, noting, “Ukraine is making concessions for peace and Putin is all talk, continuing to kill the innocent.”
The bill aims to tighten restrictions on Russian oil exports, a critical revenue source for Moscow’s military operations. This move comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow, as well as ongoing efforts by the U.S. to enforce sanctions rigorously.
In a related development, U.S. forces seized two oil tankers linked to sanctioned Russian oil shipments. The first, the Russian-flagged Marinera, was intercepted in the North Atlantic, reportedly after Russian naval assets, including a submarine, attempted to escort it through the area. The second vessel, the M/T Sophia, was captured in the Caribbean Sea and is currently being escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard to the United States for “final disposition,” according to U.S. Southern Command.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth underscored the administration’s commitment to enforcing the sanctions, declaring, “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world.” This follows President Trump’s announcement in mid-December of a blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, a key transit point for illicit shipments.
The seizures highlight the administration’s intensified efforts to disrupt the flow of oil revenues that fuel Russia’s military campaigns. The Department of Defense has been coordinating these operations under initiatives such as Operation Southern Spear, aimed at crushing illicit oil trafficking networks.
Senator Graham’s collaboration with Senator Richard Blumenthal and others has been pivotal in shaping the sanctions bill, which reflects a rare moment of bipartisan consensus on foreign policy amid a polarized Congress. The legislation’s passage would mark a significant escalation in U.S. economic pressure on Russia.
For more information on the enforcement of sanctions and related maritime operations, visit the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of State websites. These agencies continue to play critical roles in implementing and monitoring sanctions compliance.
As the Senate prepares to vote, the administration’s unified stance signals a robust approach to countering Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
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