Senate Majority Leader Supports Sanctions on Russian Oil Buyers

In Washington, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed his readiness on Thursday to vote on a bill that would impose sanctions on those purchasing Russian oil. This announcement follows Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s statement about the government’s support for tariffs aimed at addressing China’s reliance on Russian energy.

The legislation, co-authored by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), has been stagnant for several months as President Trump has sought a diplomatic resolution to the situation in Ukraine. However, Thune remarked, “I think this is a bill whose time has come.”

“I hope we can hold it as scheduled,” he stated, adding, “I think we need to move.”

Bessent mentioned that President Trump is hoping to negotiate a deal where both the U.S. and Europe would impose tariffs on China, the leading importer of Russian oil. Funds generated from these tariffs would reportedly support a “victory fund” to supply arms to Ukraine.

Bessent said, “President Trump has instructed the ambassador and me to convey our support to European allies, whether we label it a ‘Russian oil tariff’ against China or a ‘Ukraine victory tariff’ against China.”

He went on to emphasize the need for Ukraine and European partners to cooperate, stating, “If our European partners join us, we will comply.”

The proposal aims to introduce a hefty 500% tariff on all goods China exports to countries participating in this initiative, directing the revenue towards weapons for Ukraine to counter Russian aggression.

The Graham-Blumenthal bill is designed to impose similar tariffs on countries importing energy from Russia, which significantly funds the Kremlin’s military efforts. The White House has voiced concerns that this measure could overstep presidential authority in foreign policy matters, which has led to its postponement.

Much of the revenue generated from these customs is likely to be redirected into the U.S. defense sector, as the U.S. has already been supplying arms to European nations to assist Ukraine under NATO’s Priority Ukraine Requests List initiative.

This potential agreement would heighten pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which is already straining Russia’s economy.

During the recent NATO Defense Summit, Army Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed further arms purchases for Ukraine with European allies. He remarked, “If there’s anything we’ve learned under President Trump, it’s the aggressive application of peace through force. Peace comes when you are strong, not just by using strong words.”

Hegseth added, “If this war does not end soon and a path towards peace is not established, the United States, alongside our allies, will take necessary measures to impose costs for Russia’s ongoing aggression.”

On Thursday, President Trump and President Putin had a phone conversation, with plans to meet in person in Budapest, Hungary, soon.

This meeting is anticipated to occur after next week’s high-level discussions involving U.S. and Russian officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.