The Finnish PM warns that weakened sanctions against Russia could force Putin to negotiate

**Finnish Prime Minister Warns Against Weakening Russia Sanctions**

In a strongly worded statement, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has urged the United States to speed up its implementation of Russia sanctions. Orpo expressed his concerns that the Trump administration’s efforts to water down proposed measures are heading in the wrong direction.

Speaking at a press conference in Helsinki, Orpo praised the current sanctions proposal put forward by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham as “very strong”. He emphasized the need for swift action, saying “now we should get decisions”. The Finnish leader framed the sanctions push as part of a broader strategy to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

**Trump Administration Pressures Sanctions Proposal**

The Trump administration has been accused of trying to dilute Russia sanctions legislation pending in the Senate. According to sources quoted by the Wall Street Journal, officials have contacted Graham urging him to add exceptions and soften the legislative language. This move has been met with opposition from Orpo, who sees it as a weakening of the proposed measures.

The planned US sanctions would target key Russian officials and impose significant economic penalties on Russia for refusing a ceasefire in Ukraine. The bipartisan Senate bill, introduced by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, includes provisions for additional economic sanctions against Russia. This includes 500-percent tariffs on goods imported from countries purchasing Russian oil.

**White House Decision on Sanctions**

White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt has indicated that President Trump will make the final decision on potential sanctions escalation against Russia. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the proposed measures, as they may be subject to further watering down or delay.

Orpo’s comments follow a recent pattern of international pressure on Russia over its actions in Ukraine. The Finnish Prime Minister believes that the only way to bring an end to the conflict is for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be “forced to the negotiating table”. With tensions between the US and Russia running high, Orpo’s warnings against weakening Russia sanctions are timely and relevant.