Graham’s Pivot Could Push Trump to Finally Crack Down on Putin
I want to take a moment to talk about a big shift that’s starting to gain traction in Washington — and it might just be the turning point in U.S. policy towards Russia. It’s centered around Senator Lindsey Graham, someone whose relationship with Donald Trump has often been marked by loyalty and strategic alignment. But now, Graham is spearheading something that could dramatically increase pressure on Vladimir Putin: the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 .
Graham, long known for adjusting his stance to stay close to Trump, has introduced this bill with sweeping implications. It proposes what he calls “bone-breaking sanctions” on Russia — we’re talking about financial restrictions and a whopping 500% tariff on countries buying Russian oil and energy products. This isn’t just about Russia; it could also impact major economies like China and India, depending on how they choose to engage with Russian resources.
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Here’s the twist: Trump hasn’t fully endorsed the bill yet. But he has shown signs of turning against Putin more publicly, especially after failed ceasefire negotiations and continued Russian bombardments of Ukrainian cities. Trump recently made headlines by calling Putin “crazy” — a noticeable departure from his historically warm rhetoric toward the Russian leader.
Now, Graham’s timing seems strategic. He’s not just pushing legislation; he’s also traveling — recently to Kyiv and Brussels — to build international momentum. Even European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced strong support, signaling potential coordination with the EU's next round of sanctions. It’s a coordinated move to isolate Putin economically and diplomatically.
The fact that over 80 senators support the bill is significant. It shows bipartisan appetite to finally reassert congressional leadership in foreign policy — something largely sidelined since Trump took office. Still, none of it can move forward in full without Trump’s sign-off, which makes Graham’s influence all the more critical.
What’s fascinating is how Graham is playing a dual game: he’s championing tough policy while maintaining just enough closeness to Trump to possibly bring him along. Critics say he lacks courage and just plays to survive politically. Maybe that’s true. But in this case, if his maneuvering gets us closer to meaningful action against Putin — and supports Ukraine’s defense — then maybe political calculation can serve a purpose after all.
This moment is a test — for Graham, for Trump, and for whether Washington can truly unify against aggression when the stakes are high. It’s complicated, but it might also be the beginning of a real policy shift with global consequences.
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