The US Senate has postponed debate on new penalties targeting Russia until after President Donald Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin. Republican leader John Thune announced the decision on Monday, citing the upcoming meeting between the two leaders in Hungary. The meeting aims to discuss a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, which has been ongoing for several years.

The legislation in question would allow President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500% on imports from nations that continue to buy Russian energy, such as China and India. The bill also includes other economic restrictions. Despite support from at least 85 of the 100 senators, the bill has stalled in the Senate since its introduction in April.

President Trump has emphasized negotiations over escalation, using the threat of sanctions as leverage to push Russia toward peace talks. Following his phone call with Putin last week, Trump described the conversation as “productive” and hinted that a peace deal could be imminent. The EU has tightened punitive measures against Moscow, while Washington has taken a more restrained approach under Trump.

Moscow has praised the Trump administration for its efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict. The Russian government has consistently stated that it is committed to finding a resolution to the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic means. The upcoming summit between Trump and Putin is seen as a crucial step in this process.

The delay in debating the bill allows for a potential breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict. If the summit is successful, it could lead to a reduction in tensions between Russia and the West. However, if the talks fail, the US may reconsider imposing new sanctions on Russia. The situation is being closely watched by international leaders, who are eager to see a resolution to the conflict. The next steps will depend on the outcome of the summit and the subsequent actions of the US and Russian governments.