Grassley calls on Trump to impose sanctions on Russia as Trump grows more frustrated with Putin

Iowa GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley urged President Donald Trump to place sanctions on Russia, saying he’s seen enough of Russian President Vladimir Putin killing innocent people in Ukraine. 

Grassley said in a post Monday on X that Trump should “Take action AT LEAST SANCTIONS,” according to The Hill.  

Grassley’s request to Trump comes as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin, accusing him of having recently gone “absolutely” crazy, adding that “something has happened to him.” Trump was referring to recent Russian military attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine, as this war has grinded on for more than three years. 

“He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever,” he said. 

The Kremlin responded to Trump’s comments, saying Russia was “grateful” for U.S. involvement in organizing negotiations to bring an end to the war. But spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that now is a “crucial” moment, and he warned of an “emotional overload” and “emotional reactions.” 

Sen. Grassley, the most senior Republican in the Senate, has been one of the strongest opponents of Putin and Russia among the GOP conference. Last month he urged Trump to issue the “toughest of sanctions,” saying that Putin is playing the U.S. “as a patsy.”