A bipartisan push is underway in the Senate to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism for abducting Ukrainian children, paired with renewed efforts to advance a sweeping sanctions package.
The push comes on the heels of Russia’s violation of Polish airspace this week, an incident lawmakers said underscores the need for a strong response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s escalating aggression.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), joined by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Katie Britt (R-AL), unveiled a new bill on Thursday that would label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism unless it returns the more than 19,000 Ukrainian children taken during the war. Should the bill become law, Russia would be added to the ranks of other U.S.-designated state sponsors of terrorism, joining Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria, in a bid to cripple its global economic ties.
“This is what terrorists do, they rape, they murder, they kidnap,” Graham said during a news conference on Thursday afternoon. “If Russia doesn’t want to be a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law, return the children.” He said the move would make Russia’s economy “radioactive,” pushing companies to sever business ties rather than face penalties.
Blumenthal called the abductions “a crime against humanity,” and said they are part of a broader attempt by Putin to erase Ukraine’s identity. “What Putin is seeking to do by kidnapping these children is to erase Ukraine from the face of the Earth,” he said, pointing to reports that children are being placed with Russian families and taught to deny their heritage.
Recalling visits to Ukraine, Klobuchar described meeting families who lost children to the war and said even those who managed to return were deeply scarred. “They didn’t cry, they didn’t scream, they just stared, eyes wide, eyes empty,” she said.
Britt urged European allies to step up alongside the United States, warning that only collective action would force Moscow to change course. “It is clear that Putin will never do the right thing without being forced to, and now it’s time to make that happen,” she said.
Alongside the terrorism designation, senators are also reviving a sweeping sanctions package that has drawn over 80 co-sponsors. The bill would set a 500% tariff on goods imported from nations that continue to purchase Russian oil, including India and China, in an effort to cut off the main revenue stream funding Putin’s war.
Blumenthal said existing restrictions have failed to bring Russia to the negotiating table and argued that only tougher measures would have an effect. “We need scorching sanctions that will cripple Putin’s economy by stopping the flow of money from India, China, Brazil, and others who are buying Russian oil and gas,” he said.
Graham stressed that Washington cannot act alone, urging Europe to match U.S. steps and force buyers of discounted Russian crude to choose between Moscow and access to Western markets. The goal, he said, is to create a unified economic front that makes it far more costly for other countries to prop up Putin’s war machine.
Polish and North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces intercepted more than a dozen Russian drones that “repeatedly” breached Poland’s airspace late Tuesday into early Wednesday.
President Donald Trump, who has so far held back from imposing direct penalties on Moscow, said after Sunday’s massive drone barrage, the largest of the war, that he was prepared to move forward with sanctions. On Wednesday, as Russian drones violated Polish airspace, he posted on Truth Social, “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go.”
Trump on Thursday told reporters that the incursion “could’ve been a mistake,” but said, regardless, that he is “not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation, but hopefully it’s going to come to an end.”
Lawmakers said the episode underscores the growing threat from Moscow. “I don’t think this is accidental, that he’s probing NATO at this point, to be able to figure out just how far he can go,” Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) told reporters Wednesday.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) warned that Putin was openly defying Western leaders, noting his recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “At some point, we need to recognize that this guy is plotting to overthrow Western democracy,” he said.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-NC) said Trump has shown restraint but argued Moscow’s behavior left no choice but escalation. “The message is that Donald Trump has been very patient. They’d like to see a peaceful outcome that preserves a potential economic relationship with Russia. I think that’s all admirable. I just think at this point, the message that I’m receiving from Russia is they’re not interested, and I think it’s time for us to exercise all of our leverage,” he said.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) added that Trump has sought to create space for diplomacy but said, “Putin is playing him right now. And I think the president understands that.”
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After what he called a productive discussion with the White House, Graham said he intends to press Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) on Thursday to bring the bill to a vote. Thune acknowledged to reporters this week that there is “intensified interest” in passing the measure.
Asked whether the bill would have allowed Putin to set foot on U.S. soil during his recent trip to Alaska, Graham replied, “You know, that’s [a] good question. Probably not,” but added that “the red carpet approach … ain’t working” and the measure is meant to give Trump new tools in the war.
