In the U.S. Senate, the consideration of a bill providing for sharp economic sanctions against Russia has been delayed until after the meeting between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. This was announced by Republican leader John Thune in an interview with Bloomberg.
"We have pressed the pause button for now," Thune said.
The sanctions bill was proposed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal in April 2025. The document envisages a 500 percent tariff on its exports of oil, gas, uranium, and other raw materials if Russia does not agree to a long-term peace with Ukraine.
According to Graham, 80 out of 100 members of the Senate were ready to support these "devastating" sanctions. However, the bill's advancement was temporarily halted following the Senate's summer recess and Trump's statements regarding Ukraine.
The final decision on implementing the sanctions has now been left to Trump himself. The President could also enact them by executive order.
In response, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia is already living under numerous sanctions and has, as a result, developed an "immunity."
Trump and Putin are expected to meet in Budapest. The main topic of the meeting will be the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
