Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, Meeks, Bipartisan Colleagues Advance New ‘Peace Through Strength’ Sanctions on Russia Toward January Floor ActionPress ReleaseTrade

Washington, DC - Today, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (NY-05), led a broad bipartisan coalition of House Members to introduce the Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025, comprehensive legislation that translates ongoing negotiations into decisive congressional action and advances the bill toward House Floor consideration in January.

Co-leads on the bill include Representatives: Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Bill Keating (MA-09), Don Bacon (NE-02), Mike Turner (OH-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Mike Lawler (NY-17), reflecting broad, bipartisan agreement that Congress must lead with resolve as diplomatic efforts continue.

"Through force, Dictator Putin aspires to rewrite the structure of Europe and end democratic practice across the continent. America's foreign policy must promote Liberty, not bow to Tyranny," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. "With this new bipartisan bill, we are putting forward the most significant legislation introduced this Congress to place economic sanctions on Russia for its war crimes against Ukraine."

"Negotiations do not relieve Congress of its responsibility to act," said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). "That responsibility has been clear for some time, and waiting is no longer an option. Peace through strength is the discipline of negotiating from strength-of standing with Ukraine, making unmistakably clear that Russia's campaign of aggression will not be normalized or rewarded, and affirming that America still enforces the rules that keep peace possible. This is not just about ending one war. It is about setting the rules for a world that is watching whether America still enforces them. We can end this war. We can end Putin's tyranny. And we must lead the American way-through peace, through strength. I am grateful to be working hand in hand with Ranking Member Meeks to push any and all solutions forward to the House Floor, including the Ukraine Support Act. We can end this war. We can end Putin's tyranny. And we must lead the American way-through peace, through strength."

"Russia won't negotiate an end to its war unless real pressure is applied on the Kremlin to stop its brutality. I'm proud to have worked with Rep. Fitzpatrick on a compromise Russia sanctions bill that would impose real costs on Russia and those fueling its war effort, while avoiding further harmful global tariffs. I thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for also signing my discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act, helping work towards both measures reaching the House floor for a vote. There is strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the House, and this agreement makes clear that Russia cannot wait it out or continue its war of aggression without facing significant consequences," said Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"The only viable path to peace in Ukraine is putting pressure on the Kremlin. It is beyond important that both sides of the aisle have come together on compromise legislation to impose strong sanctions on Russia for its illegal war of aggression as well as to take additional steps to move the bipartisan discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act forward in the House," said Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe. "As Ukraine continues to defend itself from Russian aggression, the Ukrainian people must know that Ukraine has strong bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. The Kremlin must also know that we will not rest until a durable Ukraine-supported peace deal is achieved."

"Putin's regime only responds to resolve and takes advantage of weakness and vacillation. During these failed negotiations, Russia has continued bombing Ukrainian cities with increasing intensity. We must play hardball by sending Ukraine the weapons it needs and imposing tough sanctions on Russia that cripple his war economy, an approach Americans overwhelmingly agree with," said Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02). "I'm pleased to join Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in co-leading the bipartisan Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act to impose sanctions and other measures if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine."

"Peace through strength means standing up to dictators through actions, not just words," said Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). "The Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act does exactly that by cracking down on those responsible for the kidnapping of Ukrainian children, increasing sanction pressure on Russia, and expanding sanctions to Russian partners in North Korea. I'm proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to say that the United States will not tolerate Putin's murderous war in Ukraine, and will defend our democratic allies across the world."

"Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine is a direct assault on sovereignty, democracy, and the international rules-based order. The United States will not reward aggression or allow Vladimir Putin to stall, violate agreements, or prepare for another invasion without serious consequences. Peace will only come when Russia understands that continued violence carries real costs. I'm proud to cosponsor this legislation to strengthen sanctions, hold bad actors accountable, and stand firmly with the Ukrainian people," said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).

The Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025 builds on Kaptur's constant efforts since the beginning of the expanded conflict and full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 to hold Dictator Vladimir Putin accountable, force Russia back inside its own borders, deter further aggression, and lead to meaningful negotiations, which ensure any peace agreement is real, durable, and accepted by the free and independent Government of Ukraine.

Unlike piecemeal sanctions, the legislation establishes a comprehensive structure that directly links Russia's economic isolation to its willingness to pursue-and honor peace. It reflects overwhelming bipartisan support for empowering the United States to use strong economic pressure as a tool to help bring this war to an end.

Specifically, the bill would:

The legislation also establishes a clear and enforceable off-ramp: sanctions may only be terminated if Russia signs a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine and fully ceases hostilities-subject to congressional review to prevent premature or politically motivated rollbacks.

With negotiations ongoing, Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, Meeks, and their bipartisan colleagues will continue building support with the goal of bringing the Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025 to the House Floor in January-ensuring Congress does its part to match diplomacy with decisive action.

Read the full bill text here.

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