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• U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a new military offensive in Ukraine.
• The senators, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describe Putin’s peace talks as a stalling tactic.
• The upcoming offensive could lead to a significant humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

Following a trip to Ukraine, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal have issued a stark warning: Russian President Vladimir Putin is gearing up for a new military offensive. This comes as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine appear to be stalled, with the senators describing these talks as merely a delaying tactic by Putin.

Core Players

• Vladimir Putin – Russian President
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy – Ukrainian President
• Lindsey Graham – U.S. Republican Senator
• Richard Blumenthal – U.S. Democratic Senator
• Emmanuel Macron – French President

Key Numbers

• 70% – Percentage of Russia’s energy trade with countries like China and India.
• 500% – Proposed tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other exports.
• 3 years – Duration since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began.
• Next two weeks – Critical period for preventing the renewed Russian assault, according to the senators.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

Senators Graham and Blumenthal’s warning comes after they met with President Zelenskyy and witnessed the devastating impact of Russian bombardments in Ukraine. They emphasized that Putin’s actions at the peace table are merely a ruse to buy time for military preparations.

“What I learned on this trip was he’s preparing for more war,” Senator Graham said of Putin.

Inside Forces

Russia’s military strategy involves gradual, creeping advances in Ukraine, with recent gains in areas like Kursk Oblast and near Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka. Putin maintains his demand for Ukraine to cede the four oblasts Russia has illegally annexed.

The Kremlin continues to promote false narratives about NATO’s threat to Russia’s security and advocates for a Russian-led Eurasian security architecture.

Power Dynamics

The U.S. senators are pushing for a bipartisan sanctions bill that would impose severe penalties on countries continuing to buy Russian exports. This includes 500% tariffs on Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other key exports, targeting nations like China and India.

“The world has a lot of cards to play against Putin,” Senator Graham noted. “We’re going to hit China and India for propping up his war machine.”

Outside Impact

The impending Russian offensive could lead to a severe humanitarian crisis, with potential large-scale displacement of people from cities like Kostyantynivka, Pokrovsk, and Kramatorsk. These areas have already suffered significant damage and displacement due to Russian bombardment.

The international community, including French President Emmanuel Macron, is aligned with the U.S. senators in their stance against Russia’s actions.

Future Forces

The next two weeks are critical in preventing the renewed Russian assault. The proposed sanctions bill, if passed, could significantly impact Russia’s war economy by isolating it further from global trade.

Ukraine’s Western allies continue to provide military aid, and Ukrainian forces have recently conducted long-range drone strikes targeting Russia’s defense industrial base.

Data Points

• May 27-28, 2025: Ukrainian forces conducted long-range drone strikes on Russia’s defense industrial base.
• September 2025: Reduced scope and relocation of the Zapad-2025 joint Russian-Belarussian military exercise.
• January 2025: Ukrainian authorities identified a Russian servicemember responsible for the execution of two Ukrainian prisoners of war.
• 2022: Full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began.