WASHINGTON

US Sen. Lindsey Graham on Monday welcomed the EU's recent sanctions on Russia, while reinforcing President Donald Trump’s call for tariffs on countries continuing to buy Russian oil.

"I’m very pleased to see that our European allies have passed another round of sanctions against Putin and his war machine," Graham said on X.

His remarks came after EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced last week that the EU approved "one of its strongest" sanctions package against Russia to date, targeting Moscow's energy revenues, banking operations, military suppliers, and trade flows.

Graham, a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasized that while the EU’s move sends a strong message, it is only part of the solution.

"This is a strong step in the right direction but the goal is to shut down oil and gas purchases from Russia until Putin gets to the peace table.

"That’s why I appreciate President Trump’s announcement last week that he’s ready to put up to 100% tariffs on countries buying cheap Russian oil. The big offenders are China, India and Brazil. The clock is ticking," he added.

Graham said on Sunday that China, India, and Brazil would soon face consequences for continued oil purchases from Russia and helping Putin in his ongoing war in Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, after meeting with Trump last week at the White House, warned countries such as Brazil, China, and India that they could be hit by secondary US sanctions if they maintain trade with Russia.

Rutte called on the leaders of those nations to use their influence on Putin for peace talks, saying: “This might hit you very hard."

"So please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way," Rutte added.