“Force Putin to negotiate,” Finnish PM warns against weakening Russia sanctions

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called for the United States to accelerate implementation of Russia sanctions, warning that Trump administration efforts to weaken proposed measures represent "the wrong direction," yle reported on 7 June.

"I hope that the United States will put it forward as quickly as possible and as it is," Orpo said during a press conference in Helsinki as his National Coalition Party's council convened.

The comments follow Wall Street Journal reports that the Trump administration is attempting to dilute Russia sanctions legislation pending in the Senate. According to the newspaper's sources, administration officials have pressed Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to soften his sanctions proposal.

Orpo described Graham's prepared package as "very strong" and emphasized the need for swift action. "Now we should get decisions," the prime minister said.

The Finnish leader framed the sanctions push as part of broader strategy to end the war in Ukraine. "We have to force Putin to the negotiating table," Orpo said.

According to Wall Street Journal reporting, the planned US sanctions would target key Russian officials. In recent weeks, administration representatives have contacted Graham urging him to add exceptions to the proposal and soften the legislative language.

The bipartisan Senate bill, introduced by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham with 80 co-sponsors, includes provisions for additional economic sanctions against Russia for refusing a ceasefire. The legislation proposes implementing 500-percent tariffs on goods imported from countries purchasing Russian oil.

White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt indicated that Trump will make the final decision on potential sanctions escalation against Russia.