Blumenthal Urges Trump to Act on Russia Sanctions Ahead of G7 Summit
Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Sunday called on President Donald Trump to urgently press Congress to pass tougher sanctions on Russia, emphasizing the need for swift presidential leadership ahead of the G7 meeting in Canada, The Gaze reports, citing Politico.
“This moment cries out for presidential leadership. There is an urgency here,” Blumenthal said on CBS’ Face the Nation, appearing alongside Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). “I think the president should call on the Senate to vote approval of the Russian sanctions bill literally tomorrow.
He’s on his way tonight to the G7 meeting. He will be sitting across from world leaders. Right now, very bluntly, the perception may be one of weakness in terms of America’s position on Ukraine. He can be there in a position of strength.”
Graham, a co-sponsor of the sanctions bill, noted in a Fox News op-ed that it has broad bipartisan support. “We now have over 84 Senate cosponsors and 70 House cosponsors of legislation to enact hard-hitting sanctions and tariffs on Russia and its financial backers,” he wrote.
“It is clear to me and virtually every sponsor of the Russia sanctions bill that the way we deal with Putin will either encourage or deter bad actors.”
The two senators also addressed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Graham urged decisive action: “I would urge President Trump to go all in to make sure that when this operation is over, there’s nothing left standing in Iran regarding their nuclear program. If that means providing bombs, provide bombs.”
Blumenthal echoed the sentiment: “A nuclear-armed Iran is an unacceptable threat to the world, not just to Israel, but to the United States as well. And I support Israel’s right to defend itself against this existential menace.”
He added that the U.S. should also “strengthen sanctions against Iran,” a call that Graham supported. “I’ll be your wingman. We’ll write the bill right here on television,” he said, also addressing Beijing directly: “China, if you’re listening, stop buying Russian oil, and stop helping the Iranians. You make the world a safer place if you would stop.”
As The Gaze previously reported, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal are spearheading a bipartisan push to enact a powerful new sanctions package against Russia ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) summit, scheduled for June 15-17 in Alberta.