The US Senate has voted in favor of a bill to impose new sanctions against Russia. This was reported by Reuters.
The bill now needs to be reviewed by the House of Representatives, after which it must be signed by President Donald Trump. It is unclear when the document will be discussed in the House.
The bill was initiated by Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 11, 2026. His seat in the Senate was taken by his sister, Darlin Graham Nordon, who stated that the bill “hits Putin where it hurts.”
The bill will grant the US president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that purchase Russian oil, uranium, and natural gas or assist in circumventing sanctions imposed against Russia.
The document also includes sanctions against Russian defense, energy, and financial organizations, the Russian “shadow fleet,” as well as against Russian officials, oligarchs, and their family members.
The bill was first introduced back in 2025 but had long been sidelined due to uncertainty regarding President Donald Trump's position. Trump demanded broader powers for himself regarding both tightening and lifting sanctions.
The initial version of the bill proposed a 500% tariff on goods from countries that purchase Russian oil and gas.
Analysts surveyed by The Wall Street Journal believe that if the bill is passed, it will be the first instance in which the US Congress allows tariffs to be used as a tool of geopolitical pressure. Previously, tariffs have mainly been applied in the context of combating unfair trade practices.
