The United States Senate has decided to postpone further discussion on new sanctions targeting Russia until after the upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Republican Senate leader John Thune confirmed on Monday.
The two leaders reportedly agreed during a recent phone call to meet in Hungary at an unspecified date to discuss potential steps toward resolving the Ukraine conflict. Following their conversation, Trump stated that “now is not the best time” to introduce additional sanctions against Moscow.
At the moment, we’re kind of hitting the pause button [on the bill]John Thune @bloomberg
The suggested legislation would empower the US president to levy tariffs as high as 500% on imports from nations that persist in buying Russian energy. This measure is mainly directed at China and India, two of Russia's largest trade allies. Additionally, it encompasses various other economic sanctions intended to further isolate Russia.
Despite bipartisan support from at least 85 senators, the measure has remained stalled since its introduction in April. Thune previously suggested that a vote might take place within a month, but according to Bloomberg, Trump has resisted allowing the bill to advance.
While the European Union continues to tighten punitive measures against Moscow, Washington has taken a more restrained approach under Trump’s leadership. The US president has consistently emphasized negotiation over escalation, framing sanctions as a strategic tool to encourage diplomacy rather than as an immediate punishment.
After last week’s two-and-a-half-hour call with Putin, Trump described the conversation as “productive”, expressing optimism that a peace deal could be within reach.
The Kremlin has repeatedly commended the Trump administration for what it describes as a genuine effort to seek a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict and to address its underlying causes. Russian officials have suggested that this approach reflects a pragmatic shift in Washington’s foreign policy stance.
As both leaders prepare to meet, analysts note that the outcome could shape the future of US-Russia relations and the broader balance of global diplomacy.