An overwhelming majority of the US Senate has backed a sweeping sanctions bill against Russia drafted by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
The measure will now be taken up by the House of Representatives in September, Reuters reports.
The bill was supported by 68 senators, with only nine voting against.
The measure imposes sanctions on Russian officials and allows for steep tariffs of up to 100% on China, India, Japan and some European Union countries to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas. President Trump will have the authority to decide on his own when to lift these tariffs.
At the same time, passage in the House of Representatives could face difficulties. Some lawmakers fear that Trump’s new tariff powers will increase costs for US importers and consumers.
The bill’s authors insist the tariffs would apply only to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and gas and to five countries that help Russia evade restrictions. They argue this would cut Russia’s oil-and-gas revenues without harming the United States and would be Congress’s best opportunity to support Ukraine. The measure also prevents a lapse in sanctions targeting Iran’s energy sector and weapons.
Update. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha welcomed the bill’s passage and stressed that the United States is thereby demonstrating its global leadership.
"... I am grateful for this important step toward further strengthening the sanctions regime against the Russian aggressor. This landmark legislation is a powerful demonstration of America’s global leadership. I express my sincere gratitude to members of the US Senate for their leadership, principled bipartisan support, and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine. Together, we are bringing a lasting peace closer," Sybiha wrote on his X page.
- For several months, senators have been trying to pass a bipartisan bill that provides sanctions against Russia and buyers of its oil. The process accelerated after the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, who was one of the document’s main initiators.