Sanctions Against Russia

The bipartisan consensus in Washington calls for hellish sanctions against Russia. The attack on Russian airfields has added to the pressure.

“The push for a tough sanctions package is gaining momentum,” The Hill reports. “Trump and his allies have been increasingly negative about Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has shown no signs of slowing down in his fight against Ukraine. Some of Trump’s closest allies, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, are stepping up efforts to target Putin more aggressively.

And both Ukraine’s stunning operation and Russia’s escalating attacks are giving more senators the impetus to act.”

As for the “stunning operation,” The Hill simply uncritically repeats Ukraine’s figure of 40 strategic bombers destroyed — a third of Russia’s entire bomber fleet. It is unlikely that the publication will apologize to its readers when it becomes clear that the real losses were four times less (although this is certainly a lot).

But what is important is that congressmen and senators who advocate for strengthening sanctions against Russia also operate with the very figures that Kyiv announced. For them, this is the best proof that Russia is a colossus with feet of clay that will fall as soon as you hit it hard enough.

But although Trump has become more open about Putin’s reluctance to move toward a peace agreement, he has refused to contribute to the sanctions bill, which has more than 80 co-authors in the upper house — effectively freezing it for now.

“We’re working with the White House. … We’re ready to move forward whenever they feel like the time is right. They’re leading the way,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, who along with Graham negotiated the sanctions bill with Trump. “We don’t want to come before the White House.”

But patience is running out for many senators.

“I hate to say I’m glad the president sees … Putin as the evil killer that he is, but now we need consequences for that,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, adding that he would vote for the sanctions package “in a heartbeat.”