• A bipartisan U.S. bill aims to impose tough sanctions on Russia with Trump’s potential support.
• Senators claim the bill will allow Trump to target not only Russia but countries aiding its war efforts.
• The proposed sanctions could include 500% tariffs on nations buying Russian goods.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy encourages tougher sanctions to urge Moscow towards peace talks.
• The bill is seen as both a diplomatic tool and a potential avenue for increased military support to Ukraine.

U.S. lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill designed to empower President Donald Trump with the authority to impose extensive sanctions on Russia, as discussions around potential peace negotiations in Ukraine intensify. Senators, including Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, have touted the legislation as necessary to exert pressure on Russia amid its ongoing military aggression in Ukraine. The bill is intended to address the needs expressed by Ukrainian allies, who seek a more aggressive U.S. stance against Moscow, according to Reuters, SCMP, and Channel News Asia.

As Trump prepares to deliver a significant statement regarding Russia, he has shown a willingness to support the sanctions bill following months of careful diplomatic discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, recent events, including an increase in Russian missile attacks on Kyiv, have fueled Trump's frustration towards Putin. In a cabinet meeting, Trump expressed his discontent, remarking that Putin has been engaging in "a lot of bulls***" about Ukraine, highlighting a potential shift in his stance towards sanctions, according to Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

The proposed sanctions package would enable Trump to impose **500% tariffs** on countries that continue to support the Russian war effort, specifically targeting nations like China, India, and Brazil. Senator Graham described the legislation as a "sledgehammer" intended to significantly impact those economies that facilitate Putin's military operations. This description underscores the bill's goal of not only sanctioning Russian entities but also holding accountable nations that buy Russian energy or arms, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has encouraged Western allies to enforce stricter sanctions, viewing them as essential for pushing the Kremlin towards negotiations for peace. He acknowledged the sanctions bill's potential impact on Moscow’s war strategy, calling for unwavering support from Ukraine's allies to ensure they do not deliver "empty diplomacy." Supporters of the bill believe it will provide critical leverage to facilitate substantive dialogue and a ceasefire, according to Reuters, SCMP, and Channel News Asia.