Lindsey Graham Doubles Down on Russia: New Sanctions and Tariffs Target Buyers—Because Nothing Says ’Free Market’ Like Political Trade Wars
Senator Lindsey Graham—ever the hawk—just fired another shot across Moscow’s bow. His latest play? Slapping fresh sanctions on Russia while imposing tariffs on nations still buying its exports. Classic geopolitical hardball with a side of economic collateral damage.
Graham’s move signals escalating pressure, but let’s be real—this is less about punishing Putin and more about flexing political muscle ahead of the 2026 midterms. Because nothing rallies the base like a good old-fashioned trade war dressed up as patriotism.
Meanwhile, global markets brace for ripple effects. Commodity traders, crypto OGs, and emerging economies caught in the crossfire are already hedging—some with gold, others with BTC. Because when fiat politics get messy, decentralized assets start looking real attractive.
Bonus jab: Watch Wall Street spin this as ’market stabilization’ while quietly shorting the ruble. Some things never change.
Graham responds to stalled peace efforts with sanctions
The timing of Graham’s move lines up with Trump’s stalled effort to stop the war in Ukraine, which began when Russia launched its full invasion in 2022.
Ukraine had offered a 30-day cease-fire in March if Russia agreed, but Putin refused. Instead, he proposed a short pause in fighting between May 8 and May 10, during Russia’s annual parade honoring the end of World War II.
Trump said earlier this month that Putin may be dragging him along and has no intention of stopping the war. Graham backed that thought. “It’s clear to me, and I think it’s becoming clear to President Trump, that the Russians are playing games,” he said.
Even though Trump has talked about possible sanctions before, he hasn’t taken solid action. Graham teamed up with Senator Richard Blumenthal to introduce the bill earlier in April.
It imposes both primary and secondary sanctions on Russia and any government supporting the war in Ukraine. It also slaps a 500% tariff on goods from countries still buying Russian oil, gas, or uranium.
Graham’s office said the tariff part of the bill would hit China, India, and Iran the hardest. Taylor Reidy, his spokesperson, said it might also impact some European allies, but discussions with officials from Germany, France, Poland, and the U.K. showed they agreed it was time to take sides.
Graham says bill pressure grew after new Russian attacks
Although some European countries have reduced dependence on Russian energy, the EU reported that in 2024, Russia still supplied 17% of gas and 18% of liquefied natural gas imports.
Graham called the sanctions in the bill “bone crushing.” He said if Putin doesn’t agree to a negotiated peace soon, the Senate will respond aggressively. “Unless there is a negotiated peace soon, I’m confident the Senate would move in overwhelming fashion to hit Russia hard.”
He added that he’d rather see a diplomatic end, and said the bill gives Trump room to finish his talks. But he insisted the Senate is tired of waiting.
“Most members of the Senate believe that Putin has been resistant to finding a negotiated solution to the war, and has been brazen and barbaric in his actions against Ukraine,” Graham said. “By co-sponsoring this bill I think a senator is making a pretty clear statement that they see Russia as the greatest offender here.”
In the House, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick introduced a matching bill, which now has 26 co-sponsors, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. Graham believes that if it gets a vote, it’ll pass easily.
Blumenthal said, “This bill has legs, really strong legs.” He said he spoke directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about it. Blumenthal said the bill sends a “bone-chilling message to Putin that Congress is steadfast and resolute behind the people of Ukraine.” When asked how long Congress would wait before moving, Graham said, “We’re talking weeks.”
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