The US is continuing discussions on strengthening sanctions against Russia, but the bill on new tariffs is facing resistance in the House of Representatives due to concerns about energy prices. At the same time, Washington continues contacts with Moscow and publicly speaks about the need to end the war. Donald Trump has said that he is ready to meet with Putin only at a stage when the parties are close to a peace agreement. At the same time, the US Congress is discussing the need to preserve the ability of the US military to use Ukraine's experience in drone warfare.
The bill on sanctions against Russia is stuck in the US House of Representatives due to concerns about tariffs
Senator Lindsey Graham's bill on strengthening sanctions against Russia, which the US Senate supported by 86 votes to 11, is facing resistance in the House of Representatives and may not be voted on before the midterm elections on November 3. The document gives President Donald Trump the right to impose 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas, as well as countries that help Moscow circumvent energy sanctions. Among the largest buyers of Russian energy resources are China, India and Turkey.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said that both Democrats and some Republicans oppose certain provisions of the bill. In particular, lawmakers are analyzing the possible impact of the new tariffs on gasoline prices in the United States, which have already increased against the backdrop of the war with Iran. Concerns have also been expressed by representatives of American businesses, who warn that new tariffs against US trading partners could have negative consequences for consumers.
Bessant linked the global energy shock to Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said, that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries are one of the factors that are exacerbating the global energy shock.
“We are now experiencing an energy shock as if from the war in Ukraine, because Ukraine has decided that it wants to undermine Russian energy assets and petroleum products, which creates pressure on prices on a global scale. And then the conflict in Iran. And the conflict in Iran will end,” he said on Fox News after a meeting of G20 finance ministers.
Bessent’s statement came against the backdrop of rising energy prices: according to The New York Times, diesel prices in the United States have approached record values, and Brent has risen to about $ 97 per barrel. The minister also defended Washington’s direct contacts with Russian officials after criticism over the invitation of Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov to the G20 meeting, emphasizing the need to maintain dialogue to find ways to end the war.
Trump said he would meet with Putin only at the stage of preparing a peace agreement
US President Donald Trump said, that a new meeting with Putin should take place when the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is nearing its end and the parties are ready to conclude a peace agreement.
“We would do it if I wanted to, but I want to do it when we are ready to conclude a peace agreement. I want to have a good relationship with Russia, with Ukraine, with everyone. It would be great for business. Russia has great land, it has very valuable land. There is a lot of good happening there. But no, we could have it - I bet I could do it right away. I want to have it when this war is nearing its end. And I think that is what will happen,” Trump said.
The American president also repeated the claim that the Russian invasion could have been avoided if he had remained president after the 2020 elections. Trump called the personal relationship between Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin a separate obstacle to a peaceful settlement.
“They have to stop this stupid war… You know, I stopped eight wars. Eight. Some of them could have been stopped much more difficult than this one. And I managed to stop them. But there is enormous hostility between the two presidents (Zelensky and Putin – ed.),” he said.
The US Congress demands explanations for the curtailment of the unit’s specialization in drone warfare
A bipartisan group of American lawmakers sent a letter to the US Army leadership demanding an explanation for why the unit of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Europe was ordered to stop specializing in the use of drones. Created in November 2025, the unit of about 600 soldiers independently assembled drones and practiced the tactics that Ukraine uses in the war against the Russian Federation.
“We are deeply concerned that eliminating this specialized drone unit will limit our ability to learn from allies, especially the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter.
The petitioners are asking the Army to provide the data and analysis that led to the decision to return the battalion to its primary airborne infantry role. The lawmakers also want to know whether the decision was made internally or from Pentagon leadership.
“This specialized unit was a thoughtful response to a time when the nature of the war is changing faster than a regular unit can adapt,” they said.
Putin said that a peace deal is possible, and Zelensky announced visits by US negotiators
Putin said, that he sees the possibility of reaching an agreement to end the war against Ukraine and noted that the US, China and other countries are ready to support a peaceful settlement.
“Ultimately, however, the problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict – Russia and Ukraine,” he said at an economic forum in Vladivostok. “We are grateful to everyone who is trying to promote a settlement. Is there a chance? In my opinion, yes, there is.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that preliminary dates for visits by US negotiators to Kyiv and Moscow have already been determined.
“We expect to see representatives of the US president here in Kyiv. There will be a meeting with them in Moscow and Kyiv. We expect to meet with them in the coming days. This is very important. "It is important that America continues to be active," Zelensky said.
Trump also said he wanted the war to end, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga reported a "new dynamic" in peace efforts amid increased political and diplomatic contacts.
Photo: Sergey Otroshko/ Roscongress/ REUTERS
Author: Danylo Pievchev