The U.S. Senate took a key step on Wednesday toward the approval of a bipartisan bill that would impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, in addition to expanding sanctions against Russia and Iran.
The vote was procedural, but the bipartisan support —with more than 60 co-sponsors— suggests that the bill will pass the final vote in the Senate before the week concludes, according to .
Afterward, it must be approved by the House of Representatives, which is currently in recess until August 31. Only then can it be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature and become law.
The Ukrainian president Volodímir Zelenski observed the voting from the House floor of the Capitol, where he had traveled to attend the funeral of Senator Lindsay Graham at the National Cathedral in Washington, held on Tuesday. That same day, Zelenski met with Trump at the White House as the war in Ukraine continues without resolution.
"We thank the senators and appreciate this discussion. We are grateful that this project applies significant sanctions pressure on Russia. It's not just about the money or stopping the funding of this war; it is also a strong signal for Europe, a strong signal for Ukraine, and major support for our people," Zelensky stated after meeting with lawmakers at the Capitol.
The bill includes primary and secondary sanctions against Russia, targeting political officials, oligarchs, banks, and financial institutions, as well as the so-called "phantom fleet" that Moscow uses to evade energy restrictions.
Additionally, the project allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil, the five largest purchasers of Russian natural gas, and the five main countries that facilitate the evasion of energy sanctions.
China, as the largest importer of both products, would be the most affected.
The project also extends sanctions against Iran —which were set to expire this year— until 2031, restricting financing for its energy and arms sectors. A White House official confirmed that the initiative adheres to Trump's call to include sanctions on the Iranian regime, which explains the Executive's support for a law largely driven by Congress.
The approval comes in a context of significant evolution in Trump’s stance toward Russia. Since his return to power in January 2025, the president has drastically reduced support for Ukraine, sought a diplomatic rapprochement with Putin, and even described Congress's sanctions laws as "optional."
However, Trump has been gradually toughening his stance: in July 2025, he issued a 50-day ultimatum threatening 100% tariffs, and in October of that year, he imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, the two largest Russian oil companies.
Graham, one of the most steadfast Republicans in his support for Ukraine, passed away on July 11, 2026, at the age of 71 due to an aortic dissection, days after returning from Kiev where he had met with Zelensky. In his final days, he was actively working on negotiating the sanctions package with the White House.
"No better way exists to honor Senator Graham's legacy than to advance this bipartisan agreement," the senators Richard Blumenthal, Darline Graham, Katie Britt, Jeanne Shaheen, Jim Risch, and Roger Wicker stated in a joint announcement. They added that the bill aims to "stop those who purchase Russian oil and gas to fund Putin's war machine and continue to restrict the Iranian regime's ability to support terrorism and develop its nuclear program."
Related videos:
Filed under: