Congress Moves to CRUSH Kremlin!

President Trump’s diplomatic push on Ukraine is unraveling as Senate Republicans join Democrats in a veto-proof sanctions campaign after Russia rebuffs peace overtures.
At a Glance

Republican Senators are pushing for tougher Russia sanctions, breaking with Trump’s diplomacy-first stance

The bipartisan bill has 80 Senate cosponsors, enough to override a presidential veto

Senator Graham says Putin rejected Trump’s ceasefire and direct negotiation proposals

Graham and Senator Blumenthal are spearheading a rare cross-party sanctions effort

Analysts say Putin appears to be preparing for escalated war, not peace

Republicans Defy Trump on Sanctions

President Trump’s efforts to broker peace in Ukraine have run into fierce resistance—not from Moscow, but from his own party. In a striking display of defiance, more than 30 Senate Republicans have joined Democrats to support new, sweeping sanctions on Russia. With 80 Senate cosponsors backing the legislation, the bill has cleared the threshold to override any presidential veto.

Trump’s critics within the GOP argue that Russian President Vladimir Putin has spurned multiple diplomatic overtures, including a Trump-backed 30-day ceasefire and direct talks in Istanbul. “[Putin] is playing us all,” said Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the sanctions bill’s chief architects. The bipartisan legislation signals a clear pivot from negotiation to pressure as lawmakers grow convinced that economic force may be the only leverage left.

Watch a report: U.S. lawmakers clash with Trump over Russia sanctions.

The sanctions package reflects rising frustration among legislators who originally supported Trump’s engagement strategy. Instead of cooperation, Putin’s actions—including a fresh round of missile strikes—have led many to conclude that the Kremlin is using diplomacy as a stalling tactic while preparing for further escalation.

Peace Proposal Rejected by Moscow

Evidence cited by senators points to a clear pattern: Trump’s ceasefire appeal was accepted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but flatly rejected by Russia. According to a New York Times report, the former president also urged both leaders to attend direct talks in Istanbul. Zelensky agreed and showed up; Putin did not.

That snub has deeply frustrated Trump-aligned Republicans like Graham, who now believe that their earlier faith in diplomacy was misplaced. “President Trump called for a 30-day cease-fire. Ukraine said yes; Russia said no,” Graham told reporters. His new partnership with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal reflects an urgent bipartisan consensus that sanctions—not summits—may be the only path forward.

The proposed sanctions, detailed in coverage by Newsmax, target key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, banking, and military supply chains.

Political Showdown Ahead

Despite the Senate’s overwhelming support, the bill faces uncertain prospects in the House. Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to commit to bringing the legislation forward, wary of crossing the Trump administration. However, growing outrage among Republicans—fueled by continuing Russian aggression—may force his hand.

Putin’s refusal to engage in good-faith negotiations has united lawmakers across the aisle in a way rarely seen in today’s polarized Congress. The consequences, they warn, go beyond Ukraine. “China is watching,” one Senate aide said. “So is Iran. So is every autocrat with an army.”

Whether Speaker Johnson caves to party loyalty or embraces the Senate’s moral clarity will determine how swiftly and forcefully the U.S. responds. For now, the Kremlin seems to be betting on American gridlock. But as Graham and Blumenthal press forward, that bet may soon backfire.