Senators in both parties are itching to move a bipartisan Russia sanctions package as fighting escalates in the region, but Republicans are waiting on a green light from President Trump.

The effort to pass a robust sanctions package is hitting high gear. Trump and his allies are sounding a considerably more negative tone about Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has shown few signs of slowing down his battle against Ukraine. Some of Trump’s closest allies, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), are pushing hard to more aggressively target Putin.

And both a stunning operation by Ukraine and an escalation of attacks by Russia are giving more senators the impetus to act.

But while Trump’s grown more vocal about Putin’s unwillingness to move toward a peace deal, he has declined to throw in his lot with the sanctions bill, which has more than 80 co-sponsors in the upper chamber — effectively keeping it on ice for the time being.

“We’re working with the White House. … We are prepared to move forward as soon as they feel like the timing is right. They’re leading,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who, along with Graham, has had ongoing talks with Trump about the sanctions bill. “We don’t want to get in front of the White House.”

“We don’t want to interfere in the middle of negotiations. … If we have to do this to get their attention, we most........

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