On Sunday’s broadcast of NBC’s Meet the Press, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Russian President Vladimir Putin is largely unaffected by sanctions, arguing the real pressure point is targeting the nations that continue to buy Russian oil.
Host Kristen Welker pressed Graham on the long-delayed sanctions bill that has the support of more than 80 senators. Graham confirmed the number was actually 85 and said he had spoken directly with President Donald Trump about the measure. He explained that while Trump is already implementing similar actions through executive authority, the bill could strengthen the administration’s legal standing on tariff policies currently facing court challenges.
According to Graham, Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil and is closely monitoring China and two other countries involved in similar trade. “He’s doing everything the bill does,” Graham said. “When we get back in September, let’s have this conversation.”
When Welker questioned why the U.S. would target India more than Russia, Graham argued that traditional sanctions against Moscow have little effect on Putin.
“Putin could give a damn about sanctions. He evades them. He could give a damn about how many Russians die,” Graham said. “The one thing that he can’t tolerate… is if we go after his customers. If you keep buying Putin’s oil and propping up his war machine, you will be denied access to our economy.”
Graham framed this as a “new strategy” designed to choke off the oil and gas revenue that sustains Russia’s military operations. “Without oil and gas revenue, Russia collapses,” he concluded, emphasizing that Trump is “all in” on the approach if ceasefire talks with Moscow fail.
