U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal issued a joint statement following their visit to Paris, France. The senators congratulated Paris Saint-Germain on their Champions League victory and acknowledged the city’s enthusiasm for soccer.
During their visit, they engaged in discussions with French officials, including meetings with France’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance, President Macron’s national security advisor, and a phone call with President Macron himself. The primary focus was on Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Graham and Blumenthal, authors of a sanctions bill against Russia now supported by 82 Senate cosponsors, expressed concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for military action later this year. They reported that President Macron shares the view that Putin is not pursuing peace and emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between Europe and the U.S. to alter Putin’s strategies.
The statement highlighted an agreement on reducing the price cap for Russian oil as a strategy to impact Putin financially. Macron committed to urging China and India to reconsider their purchases of Russian oil, which support Russia’s military endeavors.
Additionally, they discussed measures such as seizing assets from those profiting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The issue of Russia kidnapping Ukrainian children was also addressed, with Macron described as a strong voice against these actions.
The senators plan to push for Senate action using Rule 14 to expedite the sanctions bill process ahead of the G7 summit. They stressed the urgency of sending a message to China regarding its economic support for Russia.
While appreciating former President Trump’s peace efforts, they criticized Putin’s lack of interest in genuine negotiations and warned against any settlement rewarding aggression. They expressed hope for a just resolution that would have positive global implications.
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