In a notable shift that underscores the reassertion of executive authority in US foreign policy, the Senate has put a temporary freeze on a hardline sanctions bill targeting Russia and its trading partners, awaiting President Donald Trump’s next move in the escalating standoff over the Ukraine conflict. The legislation, spearheaded by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would impose crippling 500 percent secondary tariffs on any nation continuing to import key commodities like oil, gas, and uranium from Moscow.

The proposal was widely interpreted as an attempt to strong-arm countries into cutting economic ties with Russia by threatening massive penalties. Graham described the bill as giving Trump a “sledgehammer” in his diplomatic toolkit. But Senate Republican leader John Thune revealed on July 14 that progress on the bill has been paused after Trump indicated he might implement unilateral sanctions.

“It sounds like right now the president is going to attempt to do some of this on his own,” Thune told reporters, as quoted by Politico. “If at some point the president concludes that it makes sense and adds value and leverage that he needs in those negotiations to move the bill, then we’ll do it. We’ll be ready to go.”

The decision to delay congressional action reflects growing deference to Trump’s direct and often unpredictable approach to foreign policy. Just days earlier, the president warned of sweeping tariffs of up to 100% on countries that persist in trading with Russia unless a deal to end the Ukraine conflict is reached within 50 days. These comments........

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