DES MOINES, Iowa — Two more Republicans are calling on President Donald Trump to use a bipartisan law to impose penalties on Russia, joining a growing chorus who disagree with his decision to waive sanctions meant to force Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.
“It is my belief that we need to use economic firepower to help drive [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to the table,” Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told Semafor in Des Moines today. “I believe that Russia is at the darkest point that they’ve been at in this entire war, and now is the time for us to turn up the pressure.”
Britt was campaigning with Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, who expressed similar reservations about Trump’s overtures toward Putin. “I don’t think we need to be making any more deals with Russia,” Hinson said.
Trump has said he waived sanctions to keep Russia at the negotiating table.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said that “enforcing the sanctions provisions now would impede ongoing US efforts to negotiate a durable and comprehensive peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.”
“The President retains the ability to exercise these authorities at any time if he determines that doing so would advance national interests,” Rogers said.
Hinson said she plans to campaign with Trump on Thursday and indicated she may raise the topic of Russia sanctions then.
— Burgess Everett and Morgan Chalfant