Trump backs bill imposing "bone-crushing" sanctions against russia

U.S. President Donald Trump has backed a bipartisan bill imposing "bone-crushing" sanctions against russia, drafted by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. A White House official told CNN this, “The Moscow Times” Telegram channel reported on July 14.

The initiative would grant the U.S. president the authority to impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing russian oil, natural gas, and uranium. Support for the bill was announced just days after Graham's unexpected death, which CNN says is expected to accelerate progress on legislation the senator had worked on for several years.

Earlier, Graham and the bill's co-sponsor, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, had said that the administration was prepared to support the initiative, but until now it had remained unclear whether Trump himself would endorse it. The president had previously criticized the bill, insisting that the White House should retain broader authority in making sanctions decisions.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN on Monday, July 13, that the White House had worked closely with Graham in drafting the bill and expressed hope that it would ultimately be approved. "This will require both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, but I hope we can get it done", - he said.

According to Thune, in the final days of his life, the sanctions package was Graham's "top priority", and its passage would become the senator's "incredible legacy."