WASHINGTON — Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina is calling for the United States to maintain sanctions on Russia until a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine.

Speaking on CBS News’ The Takeout, Tillis argued that U.S. lawmakers must act decisively to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into ending the war.

“We should be taking action to pressure Putin to end the war,” Tillis said, stressing that sanctions remain a vital tool of leverage.

His comments come as the White House works to finalize a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with discussions underway about a possible date and location.

CBS News correspondent Nikole Killion reported that U.S. officials remain cautiously optimistic about diplomatic progress, though divisions persist over how to balance pressure on Moscow with support for Kyiv.

Tillis’s remarks reflect a growing push within Congress for a harder line on Russia, even as the administration weighs potential pathways to peace.