War

Day 1602. Trump will support sanctions against Russia in memory of Lindsey Graham. But in Kyiv they fear that the death of the senator will weaken US support

Since February 24, 2022, Meduza has been broadcasting live about the Russian-Ukrainian war. We publish your letters every day because we are sure that we need to continue talking about the war. Share with us your thoughts about the war. What feelings are you experiencing? How does war affect your life and your attitude towards the world? If you have a story related to the war, tell it . The feedback form is at the end of this article. A review of the previous day can be read here .

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US President Donald Trump will support the adoption of a new package of sanctions against Russia, one of the initiators of which was Senator Lindsey Graham, who died a few days ago, an unnamed White House representative told CNN.

Last Friday, Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, the bill's second co-sponsor, said that after lengthy consultations they had received the White House's agreement to support the bill, but at that time it was unclear whether Trump would personally agree to it.

Trump himself said that a decision would be made “in the very near future.”

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the White House was working closely with Graham on the bill. He said the sanctions package was the “main thing” for Graham in his final days and its passage would be an “incredible legacy.”

Blumenthal, in turn, noted that approval of the bill would be a “worthy tribute” to Graham.

Graham died suddenly on July 11 at the age of 71 due to complications from heart disease. The day before his death, he returned to the United States from Kyiv, where he discussed ways to put pressure on Moscow.

In Ukraine itself, they fear that after the death of Graham, who was “the link between Ukraine and Trump,” Kiev’s ability to seek help from the White House on a wide range of issues may be significantly reduced, the Associated Press notes .

Graham, who consistently and actively supported Ukraine, had direct access to Trump, and Kyiv does not see who could now take on the role of mediator between the US President and the Ukrainian authorities.

The sanctions bill was first introduced back in April 2025. In the original version, it provided for the introduction of duties of 500% on imports into the United States from countries buying Russian oil and gas.

The main obstacle to the adoption of the document for a long time was the position of the White House. Trump, as American media sources reported, was ready to sign the bill if it was passed by Congress, but only on the condition that he retained the right of final decision regarding any sanctions.

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Sergey (Melitopol) . It is very painful to watch and read about shelling of Ukrainian territory and about civilian casualties. I live on the other side of the demarcation line - in the [Russian-controlled part of] Zaporozhye region. I want to report on the situation that is happening here, since it is not covered anywhere, only very briefly.

[…] Back in April-May, Ukrainian drones targeted civilian infrastructure. It all started with the destruction of ordinary fuel tanks that delivered fuel to civilian gas stations. In May-June, they began hitting trucks that were transporting food to the region. Since April, damage has been systematically caused to electrical substations that supply civilian facilities. In June they started hitting ordinary civilian cars […]. In July, they started hitting trucks in parking lots - and it didn’t matter whether it was empty or loaded with goods. They also attack the usual delivery of food products to stores - small beads and gazelles. Many guys died - ordinary drivers and forwarders.

Now they have begun to hit food wholesale bases, which have never had anything close to military facilities, thereby causing a food shortage. They hit a dairy plant in Melitopol. They hit ambulances, public transport, regular buses, burn wheat fields, etc. And all this happens under the slogan: “Our boys never hit civilians.” So they beat me. And they hit on purpose. And it was the Ukrainian military that violated the parity in attacks on the civilian population that existed during four years of hostilities.

Particularly perplexing is the joy of some residents on the Ukrainian side: “That’s what you need!” I have a question - people, what are you happy about? Don’t you understand that with such actions the leadership of Ukraine and its immediate supervisors are deliberately escalating the situation, taking the war to a new level and forcing Russia to retaliate, and it is you who are under attack, and no one cares about you. The main thing is large-scale casualties and destruction, mournful photos, pretentious speeches and promises to make Moscow an island! I really want people to know what is really happening and why it is like this now. Peace and patience to us all.

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