US pressure on countries that buy oil from Russia appears to be increasing. The US Senate has approved a new sanctions bill that includes provisions for imposing heavy tariffs on major buyers, including India and China.
New Delhi: The US Senate has taken a major decision to increase pressure on countries that buy oil and gas from Russia. The Senate has approved a bill that could impose strict trade tariffs on Russia’s major energy buyers, such as India and China. The US has argued for this decision that businesses that buy energy from Russia are funding Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The bill, titled the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” passed by a vote of 86-11.
The bill would authorize US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods coming from the top five countries that buy oil and gas from Russia. After receiving Senate approval, the proposal will now go to the House of Representatives. The lower house of the US Congress will reconvene on August 31st, after which it will be considered. Currently, major countries that purchase oil and gas from Russia include China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Slovakia. The proposal also provides for sanctions against several Russian leaders, officials, major business groups, and financial institutions, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Tough Stance on Iran
This bill doesn’t just target Russia. It also proposes extending the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act until 2031. Under this law, companies investing in Iran’s energy sector could be targeted.
A Bill Connected to Graham’s Legacy
This bipartisan bill was supported by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal. After Graham’s death, leaders from both parties intensified efforts to advance the proposal. Graham’s sister, Darlene Graham, who replaced him, said the bill presents a clear choice to countries supporting Russia’s economy: trade with the United States or cheap Russian energy. After the vote, Blumenthal said Graham would have been proud of this decision. According to them, the proposal aims to impose strong economic pressure on Russia and deter those aiding the war against Ukraine.
However, some Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concerns about the bill. They say it could give President Trump overly broad powers to impose tariffs, which he could use as part of his trade policy. Democratic lawmakers Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer said they support efforts to hold Russia accountable for its war, but they fear the new powers could be used to launch a broader trade war. The bill is now awaiting approval in the House of Representatives.