Senate Majority Leader John Thune has revealed that the proposed legislation to impose new sanctions on Russia will be on hold until after the anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The decision underscores the high stakes of the forthcoming diplomatic engagement and reflects an ongoing strategy to coordinate closely with the White House on international policy moves.

Thune, speaking to journalists on Monday, linked the delay directly to the outcomes of the upcoming summit. “I think they’re thinking that — see how this meeting goes in a couple of weeks with Putin,” he explained, indicating a cautious approach to foreign policy ahead of the critical discussions. He also mentioned his ongoing discussions with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who is actively involved in shaping the sanctions efforts in collaboration with the administration.

Details about the sanctions were discussed last week, with Thune expressing the need to advance legislation that would target countries importing Russian oil and gas and penalize foreign companies supporting Russia’s energy sector. However, a long conversation between Trump and Putin on the same day led to second thoughts about the timing of the sanctions.

The bill, which enjoys substantial bipartisan support with over 80 cosponsors, has the potential to bypass opposition from within the president's party. Nevertheless, the Republican leadership appears hesitant to proceed without explicit backing from President Trump. The concern among GOP members is the political fallout that could ensue if the president were to disapprove of the bill after it had been moved forward by Congress.

This strategic pause highlights the delicate balance of international diplomacy and domestic politics, as U.S. leaders await the outcomes of the Trump-Putin meeting scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary. The exact date of the summit has not yet been announced, but its results could significantly influence the future direction of U.S.-Russia relations and the legislative agenda at home.