Trump and the GOP are about to escalate things until Putin breaks.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is throwing his full support behind President Donald Trump’s bold new plan to punish Russia’s biggest oil customers — even if it means targeting close U.S. allies like India.
Speaking on NBC’s Meet The Press, Graham said Russian President Vladimir Putin “couldn’t care less” about sanctions. “The only thing he can’t survive is if we go after his customers,” Graham told host Kristen Welker. “The whole goal is to crush his customers — India, China, and Brazil.”
Trump Promised to End the Ukraine War Fast
During the 2024 campaign, President Trump vowed to quickly end the war in Ukraine. On Day One, he began working on a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. But after months of talks, Trump grew frustrated, questioning whether Putin was dragging out negotiations.
By May, Trump’s rhetoric had taken a sharp turn. “I’m not sure what happened to Putin,” he remarked. “He’s launching rockets into cities, killing civilians, and I’m not okay with it.”
New Tactic: Tariffs on Russian Oil Buyers
The Trump administration is now moving beyond sanctions, targeting the countries buying Russian oil. Last week, Trump blasted India on Truth Social, accusing it of buying Russian oil, reselling it for profit, and ignoring Ukraine’s suffering.
“Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA,” Trump warned.
Graham backs the move, saying, “If you keep buying Putin’s oil and funding his war, you will be denied access to our economy. Without oil and gas revenue, Russia collapses.”
Why This Matters
India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, recently surpassing both Japan and the United Kingdom in GDP. The U.S. has been working to strengthen ties with New Delhi, but Trump’s tariffs signal that America First trade policy takes priority over diplomatic niceties.
High-Stakes Meeting in Alaska
Trump will meet with Putin in Alaska on Monday in what could be the most important summit of his presidency. Graham hinted that a peace deal could include “land swaps” — but only if Ukraine receives strong security guarantees to prevent another invasion.
Critics Push Back
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton warned that hitting India too hard could undo decades of U.S. diplomatic work. But Trump adviser Peter Navarro defended the tariffs, pointing to India’s high trade barriers and its role in funding Russia’s war.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Trump’s strategy, saying diplomacy combined with pressure is the best path to a “just and lasting peace.”
What Comes Next
All eyes will be on Alaska as Trump and Putin face off. If Trump’s strategy succeeds, it could choke off Russia’s war funding — and send a clear message to every nation buying Putin’s oil: Trade with America or bankroll the Kremlin, but not both.