US senators push for Russian sanctions following unproductive ceasefire talks

Investing.com -- On Friday, US senators reiterated their demand for Congress to enact sanctions on Russia, following ceasefire discussions between Russia and Ukraine that yielded little progress. Despite this, no voting dates have been set for the proposed bills, which were introduced six weeks prior and are intended to coerce Moscow into serious negotiations.

The first direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow in over three years, which took place on Friday, concluded in less than two hours. The conditions set forth by Russia were described by a Ukrainian source as "non-starters."

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized in a statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin would persist in obstructing and delaying ceasefire efforts until his economy is significantly impacted, effectively isolating it financially. Blumenthal encouraged a vote on the sanctions legislation.

Blumenthal, along with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, proposed a bill on April 1 designed to hinder Russia’s ability to finance its war. The bill proposes measures such as imposing a 500% tariff on imports to the US from countries that purchase Russian energy.

The Senate bill currently has a minimum of 73 co-sponsors in the 100-member chamber, although leadership has not given any indication of when it may be presented for a vote. A similar bill, introduced in the House of Representatives on the same day, has 28 co-sponsors from both parties.

Graham, who was in Turkey this week for a NATO foreign ministers meeting, voiced his support for the bill’s passage and criticized Putin’s decision to abstain from the Ukraine talks. "When it comes to Russia’s games, enough is enough," Graham stated.

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