U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) issued a joint statement regarding President Trump’s recent communication to NATO nations and the global community. The statement concerns efforts to address Russia’s ongoing war by targeting the financial resources supporting President Vladimir Putin.
The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, sponsored by Graham and Fitzpatrick, has gathered significant bipartisan backing, with 85 cosponsors in the Senate and 100 in the House. The legislation aims to disrupt revenue streams that support Russia’s military actions.
“We are very pleased to see such a strong statement from President Trump, urging America and Europe – primarily NATO nations – to simultaneously impose serious tariffs on China for propping up Putin’s war machine by buying cheap Russian oil and gas.
“For months, we’ve worked together on legislation that would back up this strategy—authorizing the President to levy significant tariffs on countries, like China, India, and Brazil, that continue to finance Putin by buying his cheap oil and gas. We strongly support President Trump’s call for joint action with Europe, and believe this is the right approach to bring maximum economic pressure to bear.
“This week, we will be urging our colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to join us in advancing this legislation and standing with freedom against tyranny. There is overwhelming bipartisan support for empowering President Trump to use strong tariffs as a tool to help end this war. We firmly believe the combination of sanctions and tariffs, along with the sale of high-end American weapons to Ukraine, is the key to bringing Putin to the table for a just and honorable peace. Well done, Mr. President.
“Time is of the essence. We urge our colleagues to consider attaching this legislation to the CR.
“This is more than a matter of policy—it is a test of resolve. The free world must act, and America must lead.”
Graham and Fitzpatrick’s bill seeks authorization for imposing tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil or gas at discounted rates—a measure intended as an economic deterrent aimed at reducing funding available for Russia’s military activities.
