'Non-starter' Ukraine talks renew call for US sanctions bill

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. senators renewed calls connected Friday for Congress to walk sanctions connected Russia aft Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks showed small progress, but nary votes were scheduled connected bills introduced six weeks agone aimed astatine pressuring Moscow to negociate seriously.

Kyiv and Moscow's archetypal nonstop talks successful much than 3 years connected Friday ended successful good nether 2 hours, with Russia presenting conditions that a Ukrainian root described arsenic "non-starters."

Russian President Vladimir "Putin volition proceed stonewalling and slow-walking ceasefire efforts till his system is deed hard -- isolating it connected a fiscal island," Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said successful a connection urging a ballot connected sanctions legislation.

Blumenthal and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham introduced a measure connected April 1 that is intended to marque it much hard for Russia to money its warfare by adding provisions similar a 500% tariff connected imports to the U.S. from countries that bargain Russian energy.

The Senate measure present has astatine slightest 73 co-sponsors successful the 100-member chamber, though leaders person not indicated erstwhile it mightiness beryllium brought up for a vote. A akin measurement introduced the aforesaid time successful the House of Representatives has 28 co-sponsors, besides from some parties.

Graham, who was successful Turkey for a NATO overseas ministers gathering this week, called for the bill's passage, criticizing Putin's determination not to be the talks with Ukraine.

"When it comes to Russia’s games, capable is enough," Graham said successful a statement.

Since Russia launched its full-scale penetration of Ukraine successful 2022 the United States and its allies person added furniture upon furniture of sanctions connected the country. While the measures person been achy for Russia's economy, Moscow has recovered ways to circumvent the sanctions and proceed backing its war.

Aides to the Republican leaders of the Senate and House did not instantly respond to requests for comment.

House leaders person been focused this week connected President Donald Trump's sweeping taxation bill, which failed to wide a procedural hurdle connected Friday.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)