New Russia sanctions expected to pass Congress easily — U.S. journalist

David Ignatius, American journalist and The Washington Post deputy editor, expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

"In the United States, Senator Lindsey Graham, who has long supported Ukraine, appears to have finally secured President Trump's backing for a new sanctions bill that will likely pass through Congress without significant difficulties. This week, all attention is focused on Iran, so we may have to wait a bit, but it seems political support for this move is growing. And this will give the U.S. an important new lever of influence over Russia," Ignatius said.

The journalist emphasized that the campaign against Russia's shadow fleet confirms the fact that Ukraine is capable of creating real problems for Russia and raising the cost of its aggression.

"I also believe that intensifying the campaign against Russia's 'shadow fleet,' regardless of the means employed, is further proof of Ukraine's ability to put pressure on Russia and those who support it. Whether it involves striking these vessels with maritime drones or systematically tracking and monitoring them in the Black or Baltic Sea, it demonstrates the main point: Ukraine is capable of creating real problems for Russia and increasing the price of its aggression," he added.

• In mid-November 2025, Senator Lindsey Graham reported that the U.S. Congress was moving forward with consideration of a bipartisan bill on additional sanctions against Russia.
• On January 8, Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham announced on social media platform X, following a meeting with the U.S. President, that Donald Trump gave the "green light" to a bipartisan bill on sanctions against Russia.