Lindsey Graham (R, S.C.) to significantly weaken his Russia-sanctions bill while the White House seeks to patch up its relationship with Moscow instead of punishing it for the continued invasion of Ukraine.

The Republican leader of the U.S. Senate said on Monday the chamber could begin work this month on a bill imposing stiff sanctions on Russia - and secondary sanctions on countries that trade with Russia - over its war in Ukraine.

Pressure is growing in Washington for new sanctions to be placed on Russia in order to push Moscow to wind down the war in Ukraine.