Senators are hoping to seize the momentum as President Trump goes on the offensive against Russian President Vladimir Putin, though Republicans remain cautious about getting ahead of the commander in chief.

Trump’s announcement Wednesday evening that he was, for the first time, imposing sanctions on Russia was welcomed by Kyiv and its supporters, signalling that Trump was turning away from his appeals to Putin in favor of a pressure campaign to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Senate Republicans and Democrats are laying the groundwork to hammer Putin with a slew of other sanctions.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday advanced a trio of bills meant to punish Russia and its enablers. This includes labeling Russia a State Sponsor of Terrorism for its abduction of Ukrainian children; strengthening the U.S. ability to seize frozen Russian assets; and sanctions authority to target Chinese enablers of Russia's military.

But the bills aren’t likely to hit the floor unless Trump gives the green light.

“I’m not sure anything will move forward without the president’s approval; we’re still trying to be a team on this,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), told The Hill.

“But we talk about it every day. I think when the time is right, we will execute on this stuff, but we want to make sure we do it correctly and are specific with the authorities that we give the president with regard to sanctions. We want to do it right.”

Trump’s hold on the Republican-controlled Congress has made the body largely irrelevant in his efforts to end the war in Ukraine and Gaza. With the government shut down and no clear date for the House to return, any vote in the Senate would stall in the lower chamber.

“I don’t think Putin is as moved by Congress as he is by conversations with the president,” said Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the chair of the Senate Foreign........

© The Hill