A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators has introduced an updated version of a sanctions bill aimed at curtailing Russia's oil and gas revenues amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The legislation, spearheaded by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, seeks to provide the Trump administration with a tool to pressure Russia into ending the war.
The revised bill modifies the initial proposal by reducing a blanket 500% tariff to a maximum of 100% on imports from the top five purchasing countries of Russian oil or natural gas. It also imposes the same tariff rate on the top five countries that aid Russia in evading oil sanctions. Countries importing less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports and demonstrating efforts to reduce these imports will be exempt.
Key purchasers of Russian oil include China, India, and Turkey, while the EU, China, and Turkey are the leading buyers of its natural gas. The bill includes a provision allowing the U.S. president to waive sanctions if certified as being in the national interest. The legislation has faced delays since April 2025 due to shifting approaches to the conflict and bipartisan disagreements, but recent developments in Ukraine's military actions and President Trump's evolving stance have created new momentum.
President Trump has voiced his support for the bill, acknowledging Senator Graham's strong desire for its passage and calling it a potential tribute. The sanctions package also mandates measures against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian leaders, key banks like the Central Bank, Sberbank, and Gazprombank, state-owned enterprises, and entities supporting Russia's defense industry. It further targets state energy projects and incorporates measures against Russia's shadow fleet and China's support for Russia's defense sector.
Supporters, including Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and Republican Senator Katie Britt, emphasized the bill's importance at this critical juncture for Ukraine, viewing its potential passage as a fitting tribute to Senator Graham's dedication to national security and global liberty.
