By Charles Switzer
1:32am PDT, Apr 27, 2025
Grassley's Call for Tougher Sanctions on Russia
Republican Senator
Chuck Grassley publicly urged President
Donald Trump on Friday, April 25, to impose "the toughest of sanctions" on Russia, asserting that Russian President
Vladimir Putin is "playing America as a patsy," the
New York Post reported.
Grassley's call comes amid continued atrocities in Ukraine, where, since 2022, the Russian military's actions have sparked outrage globally.
"IVE SEEN ENOUGH KILLING OF INNOCENT UKRAINIAN women + children," Grassley wrote on X, addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The senator's tweet reflected his frustration with the lack of action taken against Putin despite the ongoing violence.
"President Trump pls put the toughest of sanctions on Putin," Grassley continued. "You ought to see from clear evidence that he is playing America as a patsy."
Here's everything to know about Grassley's Trump plea.
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Russia's Attack on Kyiv and Grassley's Response
Chuck Grassley's comments came a day after Russia launched a deadly attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. The assault, which involved drones and ballistic missiles, was the deadliest in nearly a year, resulting in the deaths of 12 people and leaving nearly 90 others injured.
This devastating attack led to increased calls from lawmakers, including Grassley, for stronger measures to hold Russia accountable for its actions.
As the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley's call for tougher sanctions represents a broader push in the U.S. Senate for more aggressive measures against Russia in response to its continued aggression toward Ukraine.
Trump's Message on Peace Talks and Russian Strikes
While Chuck Grassley was pushing for sanctions, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share an update on the status of the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Trump stated that "work on the overall Peace Deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly" and
called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a rare earth minerals deal with the U.S., which he claimed was "at least three weeks late." Trump's posts were marked by his belief that peace was achievable but were juxtaposed with criticisms of Russian actions.
Trump also voiced his dissatisfaction with the Russian strikes on Kyiv, saying, "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing." He directly addressed Putin in a message on his social media platform: "Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!"
Trump's Criticism of Zelensky's Stance on Crimea
In a separate post, Donald Trump criticized Volodymyr Zelensky for his refusal to recognize Crimea as part of Russian territory, which has been a sticking point in peace negotiations.
Trump argued that Zelensky's stance would only prolong the conflict. He wrote, "Zelensky boasting about his refusal to recognize Crimea as Russian territory will do nothing but prolong the war."
Bipartisan Support for New Sanctions Legislation
A bipartisan group of over 50 senators, including Chuck Grassley, expressed their support for new sanctions legislation introduced by Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). This bill, titled the "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025," seeks to impose significant sanctions on Russia and any countries supporting its aggression against Ukraine.
Specifically, the bill calls for sanctions on Russia if it refuses to engage in good-faith negotiations for peace or undermines Ukraine's sovereignty after peace is reached. The legislation also proposes a staggering 500 percent tariff on imported goods from countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products.
In a statement, Cramer explained, "The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 will issue decisive consequences aimed at deterring Russian aggression." He added, "This bill sends a clear message: bullies have a price to pay for their actions. Vladimir Putin and Russia must face serious consequences for their destructive and unprovoked war on Ukraine."
