(MENAFN) US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal renewed calls on Wednesday for advancing their bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an extra 25% tariff on India for continuing to buy Russian oil.

Blumenthal praised the move as the “right step” toward halting India’s profits from Russian energy and urged Congress to pass the Graham-Blumenthal bill, which proposes a 500% tariff on imports from any nation purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, or related products.

Graham, commending Trump’s action, said the president has the ability to end the war in Ukraine justly and deter future conflicts. He emphasized that Congress is ready to act, noting the legislation has backing from 85 senators.

Meanwhile, Trump revealed that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, held a “highly productive” meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday — his fifth trip to Russia this year. The talks occurred just days before Trump’s 10-day deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine. Putin aide Yuri Ushakov described the discussions as “useful and constructive.”

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