Senate Majority Leader John Thune promises vote on new Russia sanctions
President Donald Trump has grown impatient with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent months and warned of retaliation if his war in Ukraine does not come to an end.
That stance is supported by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who has pledged to vote on giving the president a green light for more sanctions.
Senators "want to work with" Trump
According to Fox News, Thune made his case for action during a Wednesday night appearance on the network's show "Special Report."
"We ought to do whatever we can to help Ukraine succeed and to put pressure on Russia to come to the table," he told host Brett Baier.
Fox News also noted how Thune referenced the fact that Trump recently threatened to tariff countries which continue trading with Russia.
"So, I think he understands what it's going to take to get the Russians to the table. We want to work with him and be partners on that," he added.
Thune says leverage necessary
"I think what the president wants in all these circumstances -- he starts with -- from a proposition that he wants peace in these areas of conflict around the world," Thune explained.
"But at some point, there's got to be leverage on Russia. And right now, they are continuing to fire into areas where they are killing innocent civilians," the Senate majority leader lamented.
Fox News cited allegations leveled by Ukraine's Air Force on Tuesday that Russia had launched more than 400 drones at multiple Ukrainian cities.
"The air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile troops, units of REB and unmanned systems, mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine," it said in a statement.
Russian official warns against pressure tactics
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov was quoted as telling the Russian state-owned news agency TASS that ultimatums will be unsuccessful.
"It is necessary to focus on political and diplomatic work. The president of the Russian Federation has repeatedly said that we are ready to negotiate and that the diplomatic path is the one we prefer," Ryabkov declared.
The Russian official went on to warn that his country would continue waging war in Ukraine if its objectives could not be achieved via diplomatic means.
