Turner says sanctions on Russia are Ukraine's 'most significant challenge' as Congress weighs expanded measures
Ohio Republican Rep. Mike Turner argues Moscow's production capacity is the key bottleneck, urging sanctions and tariffs to choke Russia's war economy as lawmakers push new legislation.
A senior House Republican said sanctioning Russia could be the key to neutralizing one of Ukraine's biggest challenges as it fights for its sovereignty. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, is pushing legislation to expand sanctions and impose tariffs on countries that buy Russian energy.
Turner, who recently returned from a bipartisan trip to Ukraine, told reporters that Moscow's industrial production capacity is the most significant obstacle in the war. "In the presentations that I received, there is no question that the most significant challenge in this conflict is Russia's ability to continue its industrial production," Turner said. He added that military and other assistance that Russia receives from China, Iran, and North Korea is sustaining Moscow. "We have to impact their ability for production. It is not just their ability currently for production, but is even the projections in the future," Turner said. "Right now, their economic engine is fueling their war engine." Turner noted that Russia's casualties are high and that its continued weapon production is a critical factor enabling the aggression. He warned that Moscow's energy exports help finance its operations.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin believed Kyiv would fall quickly, an expectation that has not materialized, and the fighting has produced the bloodiest land war in Europe since World War II. Since the start of the conflict, Russian forces have advanced in parts of Donbas in eastern Ukraine and have maintained control of Crimea, which Moscow seized in 2014. The war has been funded in large part by Russia's energy exports, even as Europe has reduced its reliance on Moscow—some nations have cut ties, while others still rely on Russian supplies.
Legislation being considered would expand sanctions and elicit broader economic penalties, including tariffs on nations that import Russian energy. The measure is led in the Senate by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and in the House by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa. The proposal would give the president broader authority to levy additional sanctions and would target energy-importing countries with duties. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a recent interview that sanctions on Russia are overdue and that there is broad appetite in Congress to move forward, though he did not publicly endorse the bill in the interview. Still, Johnson added that lawmakers are willing to work with the White House and Senate to advance sanctions, should a path emerge.
Industry observers have noted shifting energy patterns since the start of the war. As of August 2025, China was the largest global buyer of Russia's fossil fuels, followed by India and Turkey, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Europe has largely reduced its dependence on Russian energy but continues to import some supplies. The United States has already imposed a broad set of sanctions on Russian entities, imports, and individuals since the war began, with supporters arguing that further measures are overdue to undermine Moscow's war economy, while critics warn of potential effects on global markets and alliances.
Turner described the policy debate as a question of whether the United States can disrupt Russia's energy-based revenue stream and its production capacity enough to limit its ability to wage war. He stressed that sanctions, in combination with support from Europe and NATO, could help Ukraine regain control of territory and undermine Moscow's strategic aims. He also cited a recent social media post by former President Donald Trump as part of his broader argument for a more aggressive, coordinated Western approach to supporting Ukraine.
White House officials did not respond to requests for comment on the proposed legislation, and Senate leaders indicated only a willingness to discuss sanctions options without a formal agreement. The debate unfolds as Ukraine seeks to defend its sovereignty amid a protracted conflict and as Western policymakers weigh the best means to deter Moscow while safeguarding global economic stability.
