Motion should comply with Trump’s ‘outstanding shift’ on Russia, says Sen. Richard Blumenthal

President Trump’s change of tone on Russia and its ongoing struggle in opposition to Ukraine is a “remarkable shift” that have to be adopted by motion, says Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

Since returning to workplace, Trump has cozied as much as Russian President Vladimir Putin and even gone so far as blaming Ukraine for the battle between the 2 nations, which escalated into all-out struggle with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

However this week, Trump’s frustration with Putin and incapacity to succeed in a ceasefire deal seems to have boiled over. The president gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to succeed in a deal or face steep financial penalties.

The president additionally outlined a plan to have U.S. producers promote weapons to NATO allies that might then be supplied to Ukraine. Final week, Trump introduced that the U.S. would resume its personal weapon deliveries to Ukraine after a quick pause.

In an interview with Morning Version, Blumenthal stated Trump can put much more strain on Russia by means of the Sanctioning Russia Act 2025 — a invoice he is co-sponsoring with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina. The measure would permit Trump to impose 500% tariffs on items from nations that commerce with Russia. The identical tariff fee is also utilized to Russian items nonetheless coming into the U.S.

Blumenthal stated there could also be a private ingredient and “sense of betrayal” to Trump’s change, however that seeing Russia “continuing to bomb and attack civilians, hospitals … has moved the president to bring down this economic hammer.”

He continued: “Our legislation would provide a sledgehammer — broader, stronger, more specific. And that’s why we think we need to continue to pursue our Russia sanctions bill. But at the same time the military aid is very substantial.”

Blumenthal spoke to NPR’s Steve Inskeep concerning the president’s renewed strategy to looking for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the chance Congress has for a uncommon displaying of unity.

This interview has been edited for size and readability. 

Interview highlights

Steve Inskeep: Might the president prove to do some good right here out of your perspective? And by this, I imply he was pleasant to Russia, an enormous a part of his social gathering was pleasant to Russia, and Trump now tried that strategy and has the outcomes that he has — and that could be shifting all people again to a place that you’d think about extra sensible.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal: No query that I welcome, and I feel others do as properly, this outstanding shift in stance. However it needs to be adopted by motion. The size of what the Ukrainians want in navy phrases, the Patriot missile programs, the air to air and air to floor programs which might be so vital to the protection of Ukraine. I spoke to President Zelenskyy after I met with him simply final week. And the brutal, murderous assault continues with lack of life, maiming and damage to girls and youngsters. And the kidnapping of kids continues. However the shift in perspective needs to be accompanied by actual motion.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) walks off the Senate ground on the U.S. Capitol Constructing on June 30 in Washington, D.C.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs North America

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs North America

Inskeep: And let’s discuss that, as a result of we heard NPR’s Charles Maynes report that Russians interpreted the president’s risk probably not as a risk, however as a break. He is saying he will impose sanctions on them and tariffs in 50 days. They see this, a few of them, anyway, in Russia as a 50-day reprieve. Do you assume that the president is making a severe risk right here?

Blumenthal: I feel the president is severe. Actually I hope so. However come what may, our laws will present unity and power, our solidarity between Congress and the administration. That unity is essential as a message to Putin that 85 members of the US Senate have co-sponsored this bone-crushing sanctions laws. And what’s extra, it supplies an impetus for European sanctions. They’re contemplating their very own related financial concepts. And to be very clear, these are secondary sanctions in opposition to India, China, Brazil, aimed toward reducing the revenues that gasoline Putin’s struggle machine. That is his massive worry. And the purpose right here is to not reshore American manufacturing or achieve income — good targets. However right here our goal is to alter conduct. And if these sanctions had been by no means imposed, Russia could be disadvantaged of income from China, India and Brazil and different prospects. We might be very happy.

Inskeep: However John Thune, the Republican chief within the Senate, has stated, based on Politico, that he is not going to carry up your invoice for a vote proper now as a result of President Trump is attempting to make peace on his personal. Plainly Trump remains to be attempting to make associates with Russia. He hasn’t fairly given up and Republicans are nonetheless behind him on that.

Blumenthal: I’ll proceed pushing for my invoice. And Sen. Graham has been a really steadfast associate on this effort. I feel our hope is that we’ll transfer ahead in some unspecified time in the future very, very quickly. Senator Thune is a co-sponsor and a very good supporter of our laws, and he clearly is answerable for the timing as to what’s delivered to the Senate ground. However I hope he can be persuaded {that a} vote in some unspecified time in the future is a good suggestion.

This digital story was edited by Kelley Dickens. The radio model was edited by Alice Woelfle and produced by Milton Guevara and Nia Dumas.