Pence Demands ‘Bone-Crushing’ Sanctions on Russia as Trump Drives Ultimate Peace Deal With Putin
‘If Congress Shows Teeth, Putin Will Blink’: Pence’s Sanction Blitz Targets Kremlin Cash
“Only an iron will and a mailed fist can crack the Kremlin,” thundered former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday, a line that’s igniting waves across the conservative movement. With Vladimir Putin still waging war in Eastern Europe, Pence has taken center stage in Washington, calling on Republicans and wavering Democrats to unleash what he calls “bone-crushing” secondary sanctions against Russia-insisting that peace hinges on the United States putting overwhelming economic pressure on Moscow as President Trump leads the way at the bargaining table.
The new push comes as the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, garners strong bipartisan momentum in the Senate, racking up at least 82 diverse co-sponsors and catching the eye of the White House. The bill, if passed, would slap tariffs up to an unprecedented 500% on every nation that refuses to cut Russian oil, gas, uranium and goods-a move Pence claims would ‘break the Russian economy’ and force Putin’s hand at the peace table.
“America must couple strength with strategy,” Pence asserted to a packed crowd of lawmakers and media, flanked by supporters sporting ‘Crush the Kremlin’ pins. He delivered a pointed reminder: not a single inch of Ukrainian territory was seized by Russia during President Trump’s first term-a fact conservatives emphasize was due to clear American resolve, from the ISIS defeat to that legendary strike that eliminated Qasem Soleimani.
“We’ve all seen that weakness invites aggression,” Pence declared. “It’s time to show Moscow that peace comes from overwhelming pressure-not empty talk.”
The conservative base has lit up social media in support, with X (formerly Twitter) trending phrases like #SanctionHammer and #StandWithTrump. Grassroots Republicans see this dual approach-massive sanctions alongside Trump’s high-stakes negotiations-as the winning combination missing in the floundering Biden era.
‘Tariff Tsunami’: Senate Bill Would Hit Russian Allies With 500% Taxes
Pence’s demand comes as the Senate weighs one of the most punishing economic weapons in modern history. The bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act-brainchild of Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)-moves to impose 500% tariffs on all imports from countries that prop up Russia’s energy sector. Nations like China and India, currently pocketing cheap Russian oil, would face a brutal choice: cut Moscow loose or face devastating taxes on goods shipped to American markets.
Pence insisted this “tariff tsunami” is the clearest path to hobbling Putin’s war machine-if Congress musters the spine to act. He urged legislators to advance the bill before the Senate’s upcoming recess, warning, “No more excuses. The only way to peace is with Moscow on its knees, not at its leisure.”
“You want lasting peace in Europe? Choke off every ruble that feeds the Kremlin’s invasion,” Pence charged. “Pass the bill. Arm Ukraine. Back President Trump’s peace drive. Anything less is capitulation.”
Majority Leader John Thune echoed Pence’s urgency, assuring the Republican faithful that “the Senate stands ready to deliver the economic leverage President Trump needs to keep Russia at the table and force a just deal.” Thune told reporters the chamber won’t blink on Putin, even as critics on the left claim Trump’s recent summit with Putin fell flat for not securing an immediate cease-fire.
While mainstream media outlets harp on the lack of a cease-fire, weary heartland voters are fed up with years of feckless ‘diplomacy’ that left Eastern Europe in ruins. Social media like Truth Social, Gettr and X are awash in memes hailing the Trump-Pence two-prong assault: maximum economic pressure, maximum negotiating power.
Conservative Game Plan: Crush Russian Aggression, Advance American Might
The current push is no Band-Aid. The bill’s muscle comes from secondary sanctions-a step the Biden White House wouldn’t dare touch. Unlike simple North-South axis measures, these tariffs threaten the global profits of any country cashing in on Russian markets. According to Senator Graham’s own press release, over 80 Senators are rallying behind Graham and Blumenthal to isolate Russia for the long haul.
Pence doubled down on the conservative solution by affirming military aid to Ukraine-not as an endless money pit, but as a vital lever in the ongoing talks. He stated clearly, “We arm Ukraine so Trump can negotiate from strength. You want less war? Show more resolve.” As 2026 midterms loom, Friday morning pundits point out that this blend of tough tariffs and hard-nosed diplomacy represents the America First approach voters demanded, especially after the Biden administration’s economic missteps.
“If you want Kremlin compliance, then act like the world’s top superpower,” one viral post read. “That means tariffs, tanks and Trump. Nothing less!”
No surprise, the American right is rallying. Community forums, church halls, and Republican Party meetups from Texas to Florida are abuzz with support. Pence isn’t shy to say “The American people know what peace through strength means. Let’s get it done before it’s too late.”
Critics on the left, like Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Chris Murphy, warn that tough talk without hard measures could backfire. They blast summits as mere window dressing for Putin. Axios reports growing Democrat gripes over the Trump-Putin meeting, but among GOP voters, these grumblings ring hollow. For many, the choice is clear: no more appeasement. No more empty words. It’s time for a conservative offensive that puts Moscow-and its international enablers-under siege both diplomatically and economically.
As the Sanctioning Russia Act draws bipartisan sponsors in record time, Washington insiders say the remaining holdout votes will be shaped not by optics, but by grassroots pressure from heartland Americans-especially as 2026 elections close in. Hill sources confirm President Trump will not sign any watered-down package. It’s ‘go big or go home’ time for the GOP.
With sanctions looming, all eyes are on the Senate. Will lawmakers heed Pence’s call and hand President Trump the tools to seal a legitimate peace? Or will they leave America and her allies vulnerable to another cycle of aggression and bluster from Moscow? The clock is ticking, and America-finally-has leaders ready to act.
