By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Senator Richard Blumenthal urged an expedited vote on the sanctions bill, asserting that Vladimir Putin should not be given additional time. He highlighted the need for stronger sanctions, suggesting a 500% increase. Blumenthal expressed confidence in securing the necessary votes in the Senate to demonstrate unity and fulfill commitments to Ukraine. He believes the sanctions bill is crucial to ending the war, emphasizing the importance of immediate legislative action.
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US senator on sanctions bill: Putin doesn’t deserve more time.
It seems quite clear: Putin’s actions, starting with the annexation of Crimea, have earned him absolutely no benefit of the doubt. Giving him more time, more oxygen, more maneuvering room feels fundamentally wrong. The consensus is that he doesn’t deserve it.
The argument boils down to this: Putin is the aggressor. He’s the one who initiated this conflict. The core principle here is accountability. And frankly, there’s a strong sense that America should be demonstrably *pissed off* about this.
Of course, the potential for Republican and even Trumpian support of Putin is a significant concern, especially if he just needs to make some nice comments. This could seriously undermine any effective measures.
The key element discussed involves the importance of implementing existing sanctions fully. These sanctions, if properly enforced, would limit Russia’s access to critical Western technology used in the production of advanced weaponry. Focusing on that element of sanctions would have a real impact.
But here’s a more difficult matter to consider. The suggestion that China’s compliance is essential to the success of this strategy adds another layer of complexity. A hypothetical scenario is painted where China refuses to comply, potentially tanking the American economy or disrupting vital supply chains. The impact of China’s actions here is critical.
There’s also the risk of unintended consequences to consider, such as the potential impact on the global food supply. Russia’s role as a major fertilizer exporter adds another layer of economic instability. This scenario can lead to chaos.
It’s important to know that the axis of evil is unwilling to negotiate or pursue peace. Therefore, the time for negotiation is over. Russia, Iran, and Hamas are more interested in stalling and playing games.
One proposal centers on broader global cooperation to increase the impact of the sanctions. Implementing secondary sanctions by Europe, North America, Japan, and Taiwan would further isolate Russia. This could also test the relationship between China and Russia.
Sanctions may not always be quick fixes. It’s true that sanctions may not be fast or immediately dramatic. Still, they do work. They make it more expensive for Russia to conduct business and engage in its war, which, in turn, limits Russia’s financial resources.
A major point of concern focuses on the actions of the previous administration in regard to these sanctions. The idea is that they’ve been undermined by decisions and even those who were tasked with enforcing those policies.
It’s worth pointing out the argument is that if the primary goal is to apply pressure, then any policy that increases costs for Russia is a step in the right direction.
On the subject of those already in Russia, the suggestion is that entering the US should require a simple act of rejecting Putin on video. Banning significant purchases via offshore structures like those in the Cayman Islands also makes sense.