Latest news with #LindsayGraham
Russia Today
18 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
New Russia sanctions bill ‘on hold' over Trump's stance
The latest drive in the US Congress for more sanctions on Russia, spearheaded by Senator Lindsay Graham, is now stalled due to President Donald Trump's opposition, Bloomberg reported over the weekend. The 'bone crushing' legislation that would impose a 500% tariff on countries that buy Russian energy, uranium, and other raw materials has more than 80 co-sponsors in the Senate, which Bloomberg described as 'veto-proof backing.' But lawmakers are still hesitant to challenge the president, the outlet claimed. Earlier this week, Trump said he had not even looked at the bill and would only consider sanctions 'at the right time.' His position 'put the brakes' on a push to advance the measure as soon as this month, according to Bloomberg. Graham has previously said he planned to do so before the G7 summit scheduled for June 15-17 in Canada, but the effort is now 'on hold,' Bloomberg reported. On Thursday, the Republican senator wrote on X that he had 'coordinated closely with the White House in this endeavor from day one,' adding that the bill was only aimed at giving Trump 'more tools when it comes to Russia.' The bill's Democrat co-sponsor Richard Blumenthal told Bloomberg that he and Garaham were still working on making the bill 'more acceptable' to the White House. On Thursday, Trump told journalists he had a 'deadline' in his 'brain' and would decide when to act if it became clear that a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev could not be reached. He also stated that he was willing to impose sanctions against both Russia and Ukraine. The president said that the Senate's sanctions bill would be 'guided by me,' but suggested it might be better to let Russia and Ukraine continue fighting 'for a while' before 'pulling them apart.' Trump also expressed his concern about recent Ukrainian drone attacks on long-range nuclear-capable Russian bombers, saying it had increased the risk of escalation by giving Moscow a reason to retaliate. Moscow has accused Kiev of escalating its attacks in an effort to undermine US-backed peace talks. Russia has also claimed that Trump is receiving 'filtered' information about the conflict from those pushing Washington to support Ukraine.
Sky News
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells Sky News 'I am exchangeable for NATO membership' after PM announces missile plan for Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is "exchangeable" for Ukrainian membership of NATO, indicating he would be prepared to step down as president if his country was allowed to join the military alliance. He also suggested he was ready to sign a mineral deal with the US that was put on hold after his heated meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday. Mr Zelenskyy was speaking to reporters on Sunday evening after earlier meeting other world leaders at a London summit hosted by Sir Keir Starmer, who suggested a coalition of European allies could step up to defend Ukraine and "guarantee the peace". Asked by Sky News' lead world news presenter Yalda Hakim if he could quit in the event his country becomes a NATO member, he said: "I am exchangeable for NATO." The Ukraine president added: "I have said that I am exchanging for NATO membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission. NATO means I have fulfilled my mission." But, he continued: "To change me, it will not be easy because it is not enough to simply hold elections. You would need to prevent me from participating. And it will be a bit more difficult." Mr Zelenskyy has also rebuffed US officials calling for him to resign. His comments come after Republicans including senator Lindsay Graham and speaker Mike Johnson suggested he should step down from his position following the fiery White House exchange with President Trump. Mr Zelenskyy spoke to journalists shortly before leaving the UK on Sunday evening. In response to a question from Yalda Hakim, Mr Zelenskyy said: "I can give [Lindsay Graham] citizenship of Ukraine and he will become a citizen of our country. "And then his voice will start to gain weight, and I will hear him as a citizen of Ukraine on the topic of who must be the president." "The president of Ukraine will have to be chosen not in Lindsay Graham's home but in Ukraine," he added. Mr Zelenskyy confirmed there has been communication between Ukraine and the Trump administration since the clash on Friday, but "not on my level". Mr Graham - a Republican senator and close Trump ally - labelled the meeting a "complete, utter disaster" at a press briefing on Friday. 10:47 Asked whether Mr Zelenskyy should step aside, he said: "He either needs to resign or send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change." After the London summit on Sunday, the prime minister unveiled a four-step plan discussed by leaders, including a pledge to "develop a coalition of the willing" to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee a peace settlement. Sir Keir said Europe "must do the heavy lifting", and the UK "is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others". He also announced a new deal which will allow Ukraine to use £1.6bn of UK export finance to buy 5,000 more air defence missiles. Zelenskyy's meeting with the King The Ukrainian president's 90-minute sit down with the media came shortly after he wrapped up a tough week with a visit to see the King at Sandringham. Mr Zelenskyy flew to Norfolk in a helicopter on Sunday afternoon after attending the security summit in central London. People - some holding Ukraine flags - gathered outside Sandringham to try to witness his arrival. A military helicopter could be seen flying low before descending over the estate. Pictures released after the meeting show Charles and Mr Zelenskyy shaking hands by the entrance to the royal home. The pair chatted briefly before heading inside, where they posed for more photographs. Their meeting lasted just under an hour, Sky News understands. A difficult week for Ukrainian president Mr Zelenskyy's difficult few days began on Friday, when his day at the White House with Mr Trump was cut short after their meeting in the Oval Office descended into a fiery shouting match. The pair had been due to sign a minerals deal and hold a joint press conference - but both events were called off after their tense exchange, fuelled in part by comments from vice president JD Vance. As White House officials scrapped the day's schedule, Mr Trump described the meeting as "very meaningful" in a post on his Truth Social platform. He wrote: "I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations." Meanwhile, in an interview on Fox News, the Ukrainian president said the row was "not good for both sides" and refused to apologise. Mr Zelenskyy then jetted to the UK to meet Sir Keir and other world leaders.
Sky News
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Volodymyr Zelenskyy rebuffs Republicans calling for him to resign
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rebuffed US officials calling for him to resign as the president of Ukraine. His comments come after Republicans including senator Lindsay Graham and speaker Mike Johnson suggested he should step down from his position following Friday's fiery Oval Office exchange with Donald Trump. In response to a question from Sky News' lead world news presenter Yalda Hakim this evening, Mr Zelenskyy said: "I can give [Lindsay Graham] citizenship of Ukraine and he will become a citizen of our country. "And then his voice will start to gain weight, and I will hear him as a citizen of Ukraine on the topic of who must be the president." "The president of Ukraine will have to be chosen not in Lindsay Graham's home but in Ukraine," he added. Mr Zelenskyy also confirmed there has been communication between Ukraine and the Trump administration since the disastrous meeting, but "not on my level".
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Volodymyr Zelenskyy rebuffs Republicans calling for him to resign
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rebuffed US officials calling for him to resign as the president of Ukraine. His comments come after Republicans including senator Lindsay Graham and speaker Mike Johnson suggested he should step down from his position following Friday's fiery Oval Office exchange with Donald Trump. In response to a question from Sky News' lead world news presenter Yalda Hakim this evening, Mr Zelenskyy said: "I can give [Lindsay Graham] citizenship of Ukraine and he will become a citizen of our country. "And then his voice will start to gain weight, and I will hear him as a citizen of Ukraine on the topic of who must be the president." "The president of Ukraine will have to be chosen not in Lindsay Graham's home but in Ukraine," he added. Mr Zelenskyy also confirmed there has been communication between Ukraine and the Trump administration since the disastrous meeting, but "not on my level". This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
