U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Chris Coons asked the secretaries of state and the Treasury to explain the administration’s 17-month pause in regular, targeted Russia sanctions. Their letter argues that the stated rationale of awaiting the outcome of peace negotiations no longer applies because those talks have stalled, while sanctions and export-control evasion continues to support Russia’s military industrial base. The senators said the departments imposed 111 sets of Russia-related sanctions between February 2022 and January 2025, compared with one use of Russia sanctions authority by the current administration. They estimate that more than 1,000 additional companies, individuals and vessels supporting Russia’s military industrial base are likely operating without U.S. sanctions and requested a response by August 28, 2026.
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs2026-08-12
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs ranking member questions administration’s 17-month pause in regular Russia sanctions
U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons asked the administration to explain its 17-month pause in regular, targeted Russia sanctions despite stalled peace talks. They estimate that more than 1,000 companies, individuals and vessels supporting Russia’s military industrial base are likely operating without U.S. sanctions and requested a response by August 28, 2026.