The administration of Donald Trump will support a bill to impose high tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and natural gas, aiming to increase economic pressure on Moscow and help end Russia’s war against Ukraine, sources told CBS News.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut informed CBS News that the White House has approved the final version of the bipartisan bill. A Ukrainian official also stated that on Friday, Graham updated President Volodymyr Zelensky about the Trump administration’s support for the legislation. White House representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Both senators emphasized that Ukraine is altering the dynamics on the battlefield, and that Russian President Vladimir Putin must be brought to the negotiating table. According to Graham, Putin’s ongoing attacks are influencing Trump’s stance, and the recent successes of Ukrainian forces have become a significant factor for the U.S. president.
Details of the bill and its support
The bipartisan bill seeks to enhance economic pressure on Russia. It remains unclear how quickly the tariffs will take effect after the law is enacted. The legislation proposes imposing high tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and natural gas. The largest buyers of Russian oil are currently India and China.
Blumenthal noted that he has not yet counted the votes but anticipates support for the bill from Democrats. He also pointed out that the recent drop in oil prices following the de-escalation of the conflict with Iran is a favorable factor. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota previously stated that he would bring the bill to a vote as soon as sufficient support is secured. The Senate returns to work in Washington on Monday.
Other results for Ukraine
Blumenthal indicated that the advancement of the bill is not the only significant victory for Ukraine. He noted that Volodymyr Zelensky successfully held meetings with Trump during the NATO summit, securing a license to produce Patriot interceptors and convincing the American president to approve the purchase of Ukrainian drones for U.S. needs. Earlier, Zelensky personally requested such a license during an interview with the program “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” in May.
Senators Richard Blumenthal, Lindsey Graham, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Republican Roger Wicker of Mississippi welcomed the agreements reached and stated they plan to introduce the bill “very soon.” “As Russia intensifies the killing of civilians, it is extremely important that the legislative and executive branches act together, creating tools to exact a high price from those who buy Russian oil and natural gas and thus finance Putin’s war machine,” the senators said.
One source reported that Volodymyr Zelensky was informed that the U.S. president had approved the plan to introduce tariffs. On Friday, the president of Ukraine met with Lindsey Graham in Kyiv and posted on the social network X that “Lindsey informed me about the work that is ongoing in Congress on the relevant bill.”
Source: CBS News
