500% tarrifs for oil buyers from Russia: Trump’s team is preparing “crushing” sanctions against Russia
1 May 16:01
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has announced the preparation of a large-scale bill with tough new sanctions against Russia, which has already been supported by 72 of his colleagues in the US Senate. This was reported by Bloomberg, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The package provides for the introduction of “crippling” sanctions against Moscow and 500 percent duties for countries that will buy Russian energy resources if the Kremlin does not agree to serious peace talks on Ukraine.
“The goal is to help the president,”
– Graham emphasized during a briefing for journalists on Wednesday. His statement came on a day when the US and Ukraine signed an agreement on access to Ukrainian natural resources, an important signal for Kyiv amid fears of a possible reduction in support from the Trump administration.
According to Bloomberg, which has reviewed the draft document, the sanctions include a 500 percent duty on goods from countries that import Russian oil, oil products, natural gas, or uranium. In addition, American citizens will be prohibited from investing in Russian sovereign debt.
“Trump spoke of his frustration. I want an honorable and fair negotiated end to the war. I believe that Trump is the best person to achieve this goal, but these sanctions reflect the Senate’s position on who is the main culprit – Russia,”
– the senator emphasized.
Graham warned the Kremlin:
“Putin would make a huge mistake if he tried to manipulate Trump. This bill is a powerful tool in the president’s hands. When President Trump decides that we are at an impasse, expect decisive action.”
According to the senator, the bill has sufficient support in the House of Representatives. He predicts that Putin will eventually face a choice: start real negotiations with Trump to end the war or watch the Russian economy “crush.”
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the “peace” process
In recent weeks, the administration of US President Donald Trump has increased pressure on the parties to the conflict, demanding that Kyiv and Moscow take concrete steps to end the war.
Statements about the possible withdrawal of the United States from the process have caused concern in Ukraine and among European allies. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that such a move by the United States would be “not a very good signal” and stressed the importance of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States. At the same time, according to the Financial Times, Europe fears that Trump may use the lack of progress as an excuse to withdraw from the peace talks.
In response to the U.S. State Department’s ultimatum statements regarding a possible withdrawal from the peace talks, the positions of Russia and Ukraine remain irreconcilable.
The Kremlin, through its spokesman Dmitry Peskov, announced “some progress” in the talks, but emphasized that contacts with Washington are “difficult.” Moscow continues to insist on the recognition of the annexed territories, Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO membership, and the lifting of sanctions as preconditions for peace. Putin’s proposal for a three-day ceasefire on May 9 was perceived as a symbolic gesture with no real substance, especially as missile attacks on Ukrainian cities continued.
Ukraine, for its part, strongly rejects any territorial concessions. Zelenskyy called Putin’s proposal “manipulative” and emphasized that Kyiv supports the US initiative for a 30-day complete ceasefire, which Moscow currently rejects. The Ukrainian side also warned that the US withdrawal from the negotiation process could be perceived as a signal of weakness that would only intensify Russia’s aggression.
