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Yesterday, President Donald Trump said that he is “very strongly” considering backing a harsh new round of Russia sanctions. His public remarks on Tuesday suggest a sharp break from his on‑and‑off alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a Cabinet meeting, Trump expressed frustration over Putin’s refusal to end the war in Ukraine. The president hinted his support for legislation to raise tariffs on countries that buy Russian energy and impose penalties on foreign firms helping Russia extract oil and gas.

Will Congress and Trump Finally Align on Russia Sanctions?

The proposed Russia sanctions legislation would increase the costs for countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. In addition, the bill targets third‑party firms that provide services to Russian energy operations. This dual‑pressure system could close key financial gaps that have kept the Russian war effort afloat despite existing sanctions.

President Trump’s change of heart appears tied to two recent developments. First, Congress cleared its agenda with the passage of the GOP’s megabill. With the Big Beautiful Bill signed, the President can now attend to other matters such as Russia. Second, Trump’s growing irritation with Putin has now spilled into the public sphere. The president told reporters, “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin. He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

Behind the scenes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been briefing NATO allies about a possible shift. Sources say Rubio told European leaders that the U.S. might soon take up sanctions once other domestic priorities are resolved. This aligns with growing Western pressure to further isolate Moscow after Russia stepped up attacks on Kyiv and surrounding cities.

Frustration Builds Over Putin’s Refusal to Cooperate

Trump’s relationship with Putin has cooled since the Russian president skipped a U.S.‑organized summit in Istanbul aimed at starting ceasefire talks. Since then, Russian forces have escalated airstrikes on civilian targets in Ukraine. That appears to have changed Trump’s calculus.

The U.S. president said on Tuesday he was “very unhappy” with Putin, citing a tense phone call last week. “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin,” he said earlier in May. Aides say he believes the Russian leader misled him about being ready to negotiate an end to the war.

This marks a shift in tone from earlier this year, when Trump praised Putin’s “desire for peace.” He had been reluctant to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine outright and often paired criticism of Moscow with equal blame for Kyiv. This week, however, Trump praised the “bravery” of Ukrainian fighters and ordered new defensive weapons to be shipped, which ultimately reversed a brief Pentagon pause. Still, the president remains cautious and avoided committing to signing the Russia sanctions bill if passed. “It’s totally at my option,” he said. “They pass it totally at my option, and to terminate totally at my option. And I’m looking at it very strongly.”

What a Sanctions Package Could Mean for U.S. Strategy

The sanctions bill, if enacted, would significantly expand America’s leverage by making it harder for Russia to reroute energy sales through intermediaries. It would also send a message that the U.S. is willing to go beyond rhetorical warnings. For a president who values flexibility and surprise, the move may be as much about negotiating power as it is about punishing Moscow.

Critics remain skeptical. They point to past examples where Trump walked back tough talk on Putin days later. But others say the mounting evidence of Putin’s continued aggression may have finally crossed a line.

Do you believe Trump should support the Russia sanctions bill now that diplomacy with Putin appears to be failing? Tell us what you think.

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