Senator Lindsey Graham Praises EU’s New Sanctions Package Targeting Russia

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has expressed strong support for the European Union’s newly proposed 18th sanctions package against Russia, applauding the bloc’s resolve in targeting not only Moscow’s military-industrial complex but also Chinese entities allegedly supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, The Gaze reports.

“I am very pleased that our European partners, through the EU commission, are leveling a new round of sanctions against Russia for their barbaric invasion of Ukraine,” said Senator Graham in a statement on Tuesday.

He emphasized that the latest package stands out for its inclusion of measures aimed at Chinese companies.  “This round is different because it is going after Chinese companies that prop up Putin’s war machine. Without China and India buying 70% of Russian oil, Putin’s war machine would come to a grinding halt.”

The proposed sanctions include measures against transactions involving Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines — once central to European energy flows but now inactive — and a reduction of the oil price cap for Russian crude exports from $60 to $45 per barrel.

“These sanctions on Nord Stream 1 and 2 – the now non-operational German pipelines meant to carry Russian gas – are extremely significant,” Graham stated. “The decision to lower the Russian oil price cap from $60 to $45 will hit Putin hard in the wallet.”

The Trump administration has also signaled continued alignment with European allies on maintaining economic pressure on Moscow, though aid and defense priorities for Ukraine remain under close scrutiny in Washington.

As The Gaze previously reported, the 18th package of sanctions against Russia proposed by the European Commission will include measures aimed primarily at the Russian energy and banking sectors, as well as tighter export bans and controls on sanctions circumvention.