**U.S. Senators Warn of Impending Russian Offensive as Peace Talks Stall**

In a critical warning, two senior U.S. senators have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling at the peace table and preparing for a new military offensive in Ukraine. According to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, the next two weeks may be pivotal in determining the course of a war that has already ravaged cities, forced millions from their homes, and altered the security landscape of Europe.

After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and inspecting heavily bombarded neighborhoods, the senators outlined their concerns during discussions in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron, they noted, is fully aligned with their perspective on the urgency of the situation. Graham and Blumenthal emphasized that the window to prevent a new assault is rapidly closing.

Central to their strategy is a bipartisan sanctions bill aimed at crippling Russia's war economy. The legislation proposes imposing 500% tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other exports. This measure targets nations like China and India, which account for much of Russia's energy trade and are vital to its military funding. Graham dubbed it "the most draconian bill" he has encountered in his Senate career, with Blumenthal describing the proposed sanctions as "bone-crushing" and intended to isolate Russia economically.

Despite bipartisan backing from nearly the entire U.S. Senate, the sanctions bill faces uncertain prospects in Washington. The senators hope their firsthand observations from Ukraine will galvanize support, including from a skeptical President Donald Trump, who has yet to endorse the bill. Graham and Blumenthal argue that Trump's attempts to engage Putin diplomatically have only allowed the Russian leader to buy time for his war plans.

With peace talks set to resume in Istanbul, the senators expressed frustration over what they perceive as deliberate delays by Moscow. Ukrainian officials claim that Russia has yet to present a serious proposal. Both senators believe Putin is using these talks as a tactic to prepare for further territorial gains.

The dire human impact of the conflict was evident during the senators' visit to Kyiv. Graham highlighted the forced deportation of nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children to Russia, while Blumenthal recounted the grim scenes at mass grave sites in Bucha, where civilians had been executed. They warned that inaction now could lead to even greater conflict, possibly involving NATO forces in the future.

Following their meeting with Macron, both senators expressed confidence that Europe is ready to toughen its stance against Russia. Blumenthal noted the rare unity in the Senate, with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats backing the sanctions bill—a testament to the gravity of the situation in Ukraine.

As Ukrainian military leaders prepare to brief Congress, all eyes will be on the upcoming days to see if Putin moves forward with his plans. The senators remain resolute: failing to act decisively now could have devastating consequences.