Pence group writes to GOP leaders urging passage of Russian sanctions

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The top of an advocacy group based by former Vice President Pence wrote to the highest two Republicans in Congress, urging them to take up and move a recent spherical of sanctions in opposition to Russia over its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In a letter obtained first by The Hill, Advancing American Freedom president Tim Chapman referred to as on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Chief John Thune (R-S.D.) to take up the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, a invoice that may impose 500 % tariffs on international locations that purchase Russian oil merchandise.

“There is no query that the specter of shutting down the Russian economic system in a single day would instantly deliver [Russian President] Vladimir Putin to the negotiating desk and completely strengthen President Trump in his battle to deliver peace to Japanese Europe,” Chapman wrote.

Chapman argued that Trump has "relentlessly pursued a path to peace," however that Putin has strung him alongside in response whereas finishing up repeated strikes within the Japanese European nation.

“The time is now for Congress to do its half to deliver the Russian economic system to its knees by passing an unprecedented and cruel sanctions bundle,” Chapman wrote. “Since 2022 and earlier than, Russia has unjustly invaded Ukraine, murdered Ukrainians, and dedicated numerous conflict crimes.”

The Russia sanctions bundle is led by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). The 2 lawmakers stated this week that their laws had the assist of 100 co-sponsors within the Home and 85 co-sponsors within the Senate, calling it essentially the most “unified, bipartisan push but to choke off the money circulation fueling Putin’s conflict.”

Trump has for months floated the opportunity of imposing extra financial penalties on Russia over its conflict in Ukraine. However except for imposing added tariffs on India over its buy of Russian oil, the president has largely held again, irritating Republicans within the course of.

The president hosted Putin for an August summit in Alaska and has since tried to dealer a follow-up assembly between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However the assembly has not materialized, whereas Russia has continued to strike Ukraine.

Pence, who served as Trump’s vp throughout his first-term, has been outspoken in his assist for Ukraine and visited the war-torn nation a number of occasions. Pence beforehand praised Trump for “not giving up on Ukraine” whereas urging the administration to take extra motion to carry Russia accountable.