Latest news with #Russophobes
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
500% tariffs on India? US Senator says THIS bill greenlit by Trump will impose penalties on countries buying from Russia
United States Republican Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina told media that US President Donald Trump has greenlit a new 'tough' sanctions bill, that would penalise countries that continue to buy from Russia, Reuters reported. The bill proposes 500 per cent tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, and India and China are the top customers, he added. In response, Russia has said it took note of the comments, and warned of the move's impact on efforts towards a peace deal with Ukraine, the report said. Graham said in an interview with ABC News on Sunday that President Donald Trump had told him that the sanctions bill - which would impose 500% tariffs on countries like China and India that buy Russian oil - should be brought forward for a vote. Graham called Trump's decision "a big breakthrough" which he said was part of efforts to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table on Ukraine and give Trump "a tool" to bring that about. He stressed however that Trump had a waiver and could decide whether or not to sign it into law if and when it passes Congress. Asked about Graham's comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia was aware of the U.S. senator's stance and had taken note of his statement. "The senator's views are well known to us, they are well known to the whole world. He belongs to a group of inveterate Russophobes. If it were up to him, these sanctions would have been imposed long ago," said Peskov. 'Would that have helped the (Ukraine) settlement (process)? That is a question that those who initiate such events should ask themselves.' The measure would impose 500% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports. China and India account for about 70% of Russia's international energy business, which helps fund its war effort. The bill, whose lead sponsors are Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, now has at least 82 co-sponsors in the 100-member Senate. Graham has said the legislation would impose "bone-breaking sanctions" on Russia and its customers if Moscow does not engage in talks, or if it initiates another effort undermining Ukraine's sovereignty after any peace deal. (With inputs from Reuters)
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Trump Backs Senate Bill For Massive Tariffs On Russian Energy Buyers
President Donald Trump has endorsed proposed Senate legislation that would impose unprecedented 500% tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil and energy products, with India and China as the primary targets. Senator Lindsey Graham revealed during a Sunday ABC News interview that Trump had instructed him to advance the sanctions bill for a Senate vote. Graham is the lead sponsor of this comprehensive sanctions package targeting Russia. Graham characterized Trump's backing as "a significant breakthrough" designed to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin toward Ukraine peace negotiations while providing Trump with enhanced diplomatic leverage. The proposed legislation takes aim at countries that continue energy trade with Russia without supporting Ukraine. Graham emphasized that India and China collectively purchase approximately 70% of Putin's oil exports, effectively sustaining Russia's military operations. "This legislation targets any nation buying Russian products while failing to assist Ukraine with a 500% tariff on their goods entering the United States. India and China's massive oil purchases from Putin directly fuel his war efforts," Graham explained to ABC News. Despite Trump's endorsement, the President retains discretionary authority through a waiver provision, allowing him to determine whether to implement the tariffs if Congress passes the bill. Graham previously indicated strong congressional support, noting he had secured 84 co-sponsors for what he described as an "economic bunker buster" targeting China, India, and Russia over the Ukraine invasion. He expressed confidence in the bill's passage prospects. Recent data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air confirms India's position as the second-largest purchaser of Russian fossil fuels in May 2025. The research organization calculated that India acquired €4.2 billion worth of Russian fossil fuels that month, with crude oil comprising 72% of total purchases. When questioned about Graham's statements, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded Monday that Russia had noted the senator's position. Peskov dismissed Graham as belonging to a group of "inveterate Russophobes" and suggested such sanctions would have been implemented earlier if left to Graham's discretion. Peskov questioned whether such measures would actually advance Ukrainian settlement negotiations, suggesting that sanction proponents should examine this issue themselves. The proposed tariffs represent a dramatic escalation in economic pressure tactics, potentially affecting major trading relationships between the United States and two of the world's largest economies while targeting their energy partnerships with Russia.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Kremlin, asked about US sanctions bill, suggests it would impact Ukraine peace efforts if implemented
MOSCOW, June 30 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Monday that it had taken note of comments made by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham who is sponsoring a tough new sanctions bill on Russia and that its backers should consider its impact on efforts to reach a peace deal on Ukraine. Graham said in an interview with ABC News on Sunday that President Donald Trump had told him that the sanctions bill - which would impose 500% tariffs on countries like China and India that buy Russian oil - should be brought forward for a vote. Graham called Trump's decision "a big breakthrough" which he said was part of efforts to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table on Ukraine and give Trump "a tool" to bring that about. He stressed however that Trump had a waiver and could decide whether or not to sign it into law if and when it passes Congress. Asked about Graham's comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia was aware of the U.S. senator's stance and had taken note of his statement. "The senator's views are well known to us, they are well known to the whole world. He belongs to a group of inveterate Russophobes. If it were up to him, these sanctions would have been imposed long ago," said Peskov. "Would that have helped the (Ukraine) settlement (process)? That is a question that those who initiate such events should ask themselves."
