Blumenthal, Graham call for economic, military cuts to nations that recognize Russia annexation of Ukraine

Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called on Congress to pass legislation that would cut all economic and military funding to any nation that recognizes Russia's annexation of Ukraine.

Caitlin McFall is a Fox News Digital reporter. You can reach her at caitlin.mcfall@fox.com or @ctlnmcfall on Twitter.

"What we're saying is any nation that aids and abets Vladimir Putin in this absolutely illegal action ought to be held responsible for its complicity. No economic aid, no military aid to any country that recognizes this annexation," Blumenthal told reporters. "It is a land grab. It's a steal."

Russia this week claimed to have achieved overwhelming support in the occupied areas of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson and said it would hold a signing ceremony Friday to formally seize the Ukrainian territory it has illegally occupied for seven months.