As the White House is exposed for attempting to weaken sanctions against Russia, Zelensky publicly refutes Trump; how long can U.S. support for Ukraine last?
As global attention focuses on the Ukraine war, surprising news has emerged from within Washington. Recently, the White House has been reported to be quietly pressuring Congress in hopes of weakening a heavy sanctions bill against Russia.
This bill was jointly proposed by South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, aiming to impose punitive tariffs of up to 500% on countries that continue to import Russian oil and raw materials, intending to cut off Russia's key economic lifeline. More than 80 senators have expressed support, and the bill was originally planned to be submitted for a Senate vote this month.
However, according to the Wall Street Journal, the White House has privately contacted Graham's office in recent weeks, asking for exemptions to be added to the bill, granting the president the freedom to decide on sanctions targets while changing the wording of 'shall' to 'may.' This seemingly subtle adjustment significantly weakens the bill's enforceability, giving future presidents more leeway.
Trump influences the sanctions process, with dark currents of behind-the-scenes dealings.
Although Trump stated last week that he had not yet read the bill in detail, he also publicly claimed, 'They won't move forward without my approval.' His statement undoubtedly intensified concerns about the progress of the sanctions. Republican Senator Roger Wicker even revealed that Trump had asked to delay the vote originally scheduled for last week.
During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump further downplayed the urgency of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stating that this war is like 'children fighting,' and 'sometimes, it’s best to let them fight for a while before pulling them apart.' This statement quickly sparked international outrage.
Zelensky retorted: We understand Putin better than Trump does.
In response to Trump's dismissive analogy, Ukrainian President Zelensky quickly made a strong rebuttal. In an interview with ABC, Zelensky clearly stated, 'Believe me, we understand Russians better than Americans do, and we understand Putin's way of thinking better. Putin does not want to stop the conflict at all.'
Zelensky emphasized that the Russia-Ukraine war is far from the 'children fighting' that Trump described, but rather a real war filled with bloodshed and sacrifice. He pointed out, 'We are not playing in a park, and Putin is not a child that can be easily dismissed. The pain of this war can only be truly felt by the families in Ukraine who have lost loved ones.'
In addition, Zelensky warned that if Trump does not adopt tougher sanctions, it will be difficult to curb Russia's aggression. Just last week, Ukraine successfully launched a drone attack on a Russian airbase, destroying dozens of bombers. In retaliation, Russia quickly launched drone strikes against Ukraine, resulting in at least five deaths.
When asked if Trump believes Russia is winning, Zelensky did not hesitate to deny this, stating, 'How can it be called a victory when a country has already lost over a million people? This view is completely wrong.'
The direction of the sanctions bill remains a mystery; is the Russia-Ukraine situation heading for a new turning point?
Currently, the advancement of the sanctions bill has fallen into a subtle game of chess. Although senators from both parties generally support tough sanctions, the behind-the-scenes pressure from the White House, Trump's ambiguous attitude, and the upcoming U.S. elections make everything filled with uncertainty.
In this complex situation, can Ukraine still receive sustained and effective assistance? Will the Russia-Ukraine war reach a new turning point due to internal U.S. struggles? Changes in capital markets and geopolitical risks will inevitably have a ripple effect on the digital asset market.
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Disclaimer: The above content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute any investment advice! Investment carries risks, and caution is advised when entering the market.