Missile reveal by Trump grants critical respite to Ukraine, yet laxer sanctions against Russia leave a bitter taste
In a recent development, the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill led by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), has gained significant support in the US Senate, with over 85 co-sponsors. The bill aims to impose a 500% tariff on countries buying Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products, potentially causing significant turmoil in global energy markets.
President Donald Trump has expressed support for the bill, marking a shift in his tone towards Russia. However, the proposed legislation does not include immediate secondary sanctions against customers of Russian energy, a move that may initially provide relief to Kyiv but could soon lead to a sense of disappointment due to the lack of concrete action.
The bill includes a carveout for countries supporting Ukraine's defence, preventing them from facing these tariffs. This provision reflects ongoing efforts to balance sanctions with diplomatic engagement and support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Meanwhile, Trump has permitted NATO's other members to buy American arms, including Patriot interceptor missiles and batteries, which Ukraine desperately needs to counter Russian ballistic missiles. This move could provide an opportunity for New Delhi and Beijing to decouple from Russian energy or apply pressure on Moscow to end the war.
Trump's Ukraine policy maintains elements from its past, including a desire for others to pay for the conflict and deadlines for action. Despite previous failed deadlines, Trump continues to pursue a peace deal with Russia.
The announcement does not include any new financial aid to Ukraine or the delivery of new capabilities. This, coupled with Trump's softer approach towards Russia, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the sanctions in bringing about a lasting resolution to the conflict.
The first lady's influence on Trump's stance on Ukraine, highlighting the impact of violence in Kyiv, and the president's suggestion of 17 Patriot missile batteries "spare" in one NATO nation, suggest a complex web of factors shaping US policy towards Ukraine and Russia.
The proposed sanctions could have significantly affected Moscow's finances, potentially increasing oil prices and causing trade turmoil. However, the impact on China and India, the US's main rival and key ally respectively, is a concern. Applying pressure on Moscow to end the war is a tough ask for Beijing, given its recent indications that it cannot see Moscow losing the conflict without risking US attention on its rivalry with China.
As we approach the 50-day window until September, Vladimir Putin has a potential opportunity to change the battlefield reality or seek a freeze in the conflict. The global community watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict.
- The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, with its proposed 500% tariff on Russian energy products, could create turbulence in Europe and worldwide, as it would affect numerous countries' energy policies and general news.
- The absence of immediate secondary sanctions against customers of Russian energy in the Sanctioning Russia Act could lead to dissatisfaction, given the bill's potential impact on war-and-conflicts like the one in Ukraine.
- In the realm of politics, President Trump's support for the Sanctioning Russia Act, while maintaining elements from his past policy on Ukraine, indicates a shift in his tone towards Russia. This shift could have implications for Europe and other regions where Russia's influence is significant.
