James Gibney, Columnist

Sanctioning Russia Will Send a Message — and Not Just to Putin

Lawmakers have abandoned their influence over foreign policy but can regain it by pushing Trump to support Ukraine.

May 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM UTC

James Gibney is an editor for Bloomberg Opinion. Previously an editor at the Atlantic, the New York Times, Smithsonian, Foreign Policy and the New Republic, he was also in the U.S. Foreign Service from 1989 to 1997 in India, Japan and Washington.

Trump might be so happy if Lindsey Graham, right, gets his way on Russia sanctions.
Photographer: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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With Ukraine facing blizzards of Russian missiles and drones, President Donald Trump is coming around to the idea that it’s going to take more than another “Vladimir, STOP” Truth Social post to get Russia to agree to a ceasefire, much less serious peace talks. Following another night of attacks across Ukraine, Trump said he was “absolutely” considering new sanctions against Russia, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin “CRAZY” in the bargain.

Don’t hold your BREATH. Trump has yet to take a real swing at the Russia sanctions threats he’s teed up in the past. Shortly before the weekend’s rant, for instance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was blocking the G-7’s endorsement of a European effort to lower the price cap on Russian oil exports.