{"id":2502415,"date":"2025-10-23T16:08:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-floats-senate-russia-week-after-trumps-budapest-meeting-punted\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T16:10:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:10:14","slug":"thune-floats-senate-russia-week-after-trumps-budapest-meeting-punted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-floats-senate-russia-week-after-trumps-budapest-meeting-punted\/","title":{"rendered":"Thune floats Senate &#8216;Russia week&#8217; after Trump\u2019s Budapest meeting punted"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthune-floats-senate-russia-week-after-trumps-budapest-meeting-punted%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2502415&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is proposing a focused legislative effort dubbed &#8220;Russia week,&#8221; aiming to pass a series of sanctions and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/russian-led-nord-stream-2-pipeline-resumes-construction-in-europe-after-halting-under-trump-report\/\" title=\"...n...Led Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Resumes Construction In Europe After Halting Under ...: Report\">punitive measures<\/a> against Russia in response to its war in Ukraine. This <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >initiative includes bills recently approved<\/a> by the Senate Foreign relations Committee, such as one that would designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism unless it returns children abducted during the conflict, and another directing frozen Russian assets to be transferred to Ukraine regularly. These measures enjoy bipartisan support, though a few senators opposed them. thune suggests that the delay of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hunter-biden-consulted-for-oil-man-connected-to-notorious-congolese-warlord-emails-show\/\" title=\"Hunter Biden Consulted for Oil Man Connected to Notorious Congolese Warlord, Emails Show\">planned meeting<\/a> between former President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest could accelerate Senate action on these sanctions. He is working closely with Senator lindsey Graham, who has authored additional sanctions legislation currently held up by the White House amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, the White House has launched some sanctions independently, signaling a cautious approach to ensure any future Trump-Putin meeting yields meaningful results. Thune emphasizes that these legislative tools are intended to support presidential diplomacy and increase pressure on Russia to negotiate peace in Ukraine.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Thune floats Senate &lsquo;Russia week&rsquo; after Trump&rsquo;s Budapest meeting punted<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2381492\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE &ndash; <\/strong>Senate Majority Leader <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD) is teasing a series of votes punishing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Russia<\/a> for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia-ukraine-war\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">war in Ukraine<\/a>, calling legislation that cleared a key Senate panel this week part of a &ldquo;toolbox&rdquo; of options meant to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There may be a point here where we have a &lsquo;Russia week&rsquo; where we just end up doing some of this stuff on the floor,&rdquo; Thune told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> in a Wednesday sit-down interview, mentioning two bills that passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the same day.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3861469\/senate-democrats-tank-shutdown-vote-pay-federal-workers\/\">Senate Democrats tank shutdown vote on pay for federal workers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3860790\/thune-teases-shutdown-votes-pay-troops-air-traffic-controllers\/\">Thune teases shutdown votes to pay troops and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/search-and-rescue-teams-at-site-of-indonesian-plane-crash\/\" title=\"Search and rescue teams at site of Indonesian plane crash\">air traffic controllers<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3860471\/veterans-affairs-doug-collins-urges-chuck-schumer-end-government-shutdown-nations-duty\/\">VA secretary urges Schumer to reopen government, affirm &#8216;nation&#8217;s duty&#8217; to veterans<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>One would declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism unless it returns the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/children\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">children<\/a> abducted in its war with Ukraine, while a second would direct frozen Russian assets to be sent to Ukraine once a quarter.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;A lot of the stuff is bipartisan,&rdquo; Thune said of the bills, which the Foreign Relations Committee approved by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/no-christmas-present-for-you-gop-lawmakers-defy-president-trump-as-2000-checks-for-all-americans-fails-thanks-to-pelosis-tricks\/\" title=\"No Christmas Present for You! \u2013 GOP Lawmakers Defy ... as ,000 Checks for All Americans FAILS \u2013 Thanks to Pelosi\u2019s Tricks\">voice vote<\/a> on Wednesday. Just two panel members, Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT), asked to be recorded as &ldquo;no&rdquo; votes.<\/p>\n<p>For months, Thune has signaled a vote could be coming soon on a separate package of sanctions authored by Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lindsey Graham<\/a> (R-SC), but the measure has been held up by the White House as it attempts to broker a peace to the Ukraine conflict.<\/p>\n<p>That diplomacy faltered earlier this week, when Trump postponed a tentative meeting with Putin in Budapest, a development Thune said could give new momentum to the sanctions bill.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Now that this Budapest meeting is off, I think there may be perhaps even more of a window here,&rdquo; he said, adding that he is speaking &ldquo;daily&rdquo; with Graham about the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The two met twice on Wednesday, Thune said, and again the night before, with Graham serving as a go-between for the Senate and White House. Graham is also a lead Republican on the state sponsor of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/terrorism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">terrorism<\/a> bill.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s kind of got a running sense of where the White House is coming from and where we can be helpful, and I think we&rsquo;re getting to the point where we&rsquo;re probably going to need to move,&rdquo; Thune said.<\/p>\n<p>A future Trump-Putin meeting is not out of the question, but the White House has begun to take long-awaited steps to punish Russia on its own, including Treasury Department sanctions announced this week that are separate from the Senate bill.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We want to make sure that there&rsquo;s a tangible, positive outcome out of that meeting, and that it&rsquo;s a good use of the president&rsquo;s time,&rdquo; White House spokeswoman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/karoline-leavitt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Karoline Leavitt<\/a> said at Thursday&rsquo;s press briefing.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3860790\/thune-teases-shutdown-votes-pay-troops-air-traffic-controllers\/\"><strong>THUNE TEASES SHUTDOWN VOTES TO PAY TROOPS AND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, Thune is deferring to Trump on how best to ramp up pressure on Russia, describing the bills as leverage for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/president\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">president<\/a>, should he decide he wants them.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re trying as much as we can to make sure that we&rsquo;re enhancing the administration, the president, and his team&rsquo;s success in getting to a peaceful solution there,&rdquo; Thune said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thune hints at Senate &#8216;Russia week&#8217; after Trump&#8217;s Budapest meeting delayed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3204,"featured_media":2502416,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25293739264540-e1761248953194.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[65775,65774,3740,23610,3634],"class_list":["post-2502415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-budapest-meeting","tag-russia-week","tag-senate","tag-thune","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25293739264540-e1761248953194.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3204"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2502415"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502415\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2502419,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502415\/revisions\/2502419"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2502416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2502415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2502415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2502415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}