- • Sen. Graham warned Putin that Trump will impose 100% tariffs on Russian oil buyers.
- • China, India, and Brazil are directly called out for “blood money” purchases.
- • Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum over NATO support and Ukraine war escalation.
What’s happening
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham delivered a forceful warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, telling Fox News viewers that President Donald Trump is prepared to “kick Putin’s ass” and hit Russian allies with devastating tariffs.
Speaking on Late Night in America, Graham accused Putin of breaking Ukraine disarmament promises and enabling mass aggression. “He’s not gonna stop until somebody makes him stop,” Graham said, adding that Trump will go beyond diplomacy to stop Russia’s oil-funded war machine.
— Sen. Lindsey Graham
Driving the threat
Graham outlined Trump’s policy: to impose 100% tariffs on nations buying cheap Russian oil. “That’s what keeps Putin’s war machine going,” he said, explicitly calling out China, India, and Brazil—countries that collectively account for over 80% of Russian oil imports.
— Sen. Lindsey Graham
According to Graham, targeting Putin directly hasn’t worked. “Putin can live through sanctions,” he said, arguing the real pressure point is the money pipeline maintained by nations still trading with Moscow.
Context: Trump’s 50-day deadline
Earlier this month, Trump announced that NATO would fund U.S.-made weapons headed to Ukraine, while giving Putin and his allies 50 days to change course. After that, Trump vowed to unleash sweeping economic penalties.
— Sen. Lindsey Graham
That reference draws a parallel to Trump’s 2020 strike on Iran’s nuclear program. Graham implied similar decisive action could occur if Putin continues the war.
What they’re saying
Graham has been consistent in backing Trump’s maximum-pressure strategy against Russia and Iran. On X, he endorsed the new NATO policy and warned foreign buyers of Russian oil:
“If I were a country buying cheap Russian oil, propping up Putin’s war machine, I would take what President Trump said.”
Trump himself reiterated Tuesday: “At the end of 50 days, if we don’t have a deal, it’s going to be too bad. The tariffs are going to go on and other sanctions.”
What to watch
How China, India, and Brazil respond to Trump’s proposed tariffs could reshape the Ukraine war’s economic undercurrents. So far, none have committed to reducing Russian oil purchases. Whether the threat of losing access to the U.S. market will shift their stance remains uncertain.
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