White House Pressures Graham to Soften Russia Sanctions Bill

President Donald Trump's administration is actively pressuring Senator Lindsey Graham to weaken a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The bill, supported by over 80 senators, includes imposing 500% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, and related products, along with sanctions on key Russian officials and sectors. The Trump administration seeks amendments that would give the president discretion to decide who should be sanctioned and to replace mandatory language in the bill from "shall" to "may," effectively making sanctions non-binding. Graham's office and other lawmakers have criticized these proposed changes, arguing that the president already has ample authority to impose sanctions and that weakening the bill would render it ineffective. The White House defends its position by emphasizing the need for flexibility in diplomacy and foreign policy to pursue normalization of relations with Russia and avoid disrupting peace negotiations. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as Trump expresses concern over Ukraine's recent strikes on Russian military targets, which have triggered debate within the administration about support for Kyiv.