Washington has moved to tighten the economic screws on Moscow, with the US Senate approving a far-reaching sanctions package designed to slash Russia’s energy earnings — the financial lifeline many lawmakers say sustains the Kremlin’s war effort.
The measure now goes to the House of Representatives, but any vote there is not expected until at least early September because of the congressional summer recess.
If enacted, the bill would target Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions and the so-called shadow fleet accused of helping Russia dodge restrictions on its oil exports.
It would also empower US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500% on Russian imports, including gas and oil.
In a provision aimed at third-party buyers, the sanctions would allow Mr Trump to set tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major purchasers of Russian oil and gas — including countries such as China and India.
Backers argue that cutting off energy revenue is central to diminishing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to bankroll the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year.
Should the legislation become law, Mr Putin would be among those in the sanctions crosshairs, alongside other senior Russian officials.
The bill was named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on 11 July after spending more than a year building support for it.
Shortly before his death, Mr Graham said he had secured an agreement with the White House on a revised version of the text, including an extension of existing sanctions authority intended to restrict funding for Iran’s energy and weapons sectors.
The bill was named after Lindsey Graham who died last month
His sister, Darline Graham — who replaced him in Congress — said final passage would not only commemorate her brother, “but will also promote peace by cutting off the funding fueling Russia’s war machine”.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who sits on the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, said the legislation “hits Russia’s energy and financial sectors very hard”.
“Vladimir Putin only understands strength, and he only responds to pressure,” Ms Shaheen said.
“This legislation represents our best opportunity to finally bring Russia’s war machine to its knees and to force Putin to the negotiating table.”
Russia’s embassy in the United States condemned the bill, saying it “does the current US administration a disservice.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the Senate’s action and thanked supporters of Kyiv.
“We are very grateful to the U.S. Senate and to everyone who supports Ukraine,” Mr Zelensky wrote on social media platform X.
“Adopting the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act certainly helps increase pressure on the aggressor to bring this insane Russian war against our independence and our people to an end.”
The vote comes as Moscow also faces rising pressure in Europe. The EU last month agreed a new round of sanctions — though diplomats said it was watered down from earlier, tougher proposals.
The package, the EU’s 21st since Russia’s 2022 invasion, was delayed by objections from member states to multiple elements.
Its focus includes freezing the level of an oil price cap, an effort to prevent Russia from profiting from an upswing in oil prices linked to the Iran war.
Diplomats said the last obstacle fell after Greece secured an exemption that allows shipping firms to continue transporting Russian liquefied natural gas from the Arctic.
The EU measures also take aim at Russia’s financial sector and crypto firms, and add scores more Russian officials to blacklists over the war.
However, a proposed sweeping visa ban was shelved.
Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the vote on the US sanctions package
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the Senate vote endorsing broad energy-related sanctions.
“Coming on the back of the EU’s 21st package, I welcome the US Senate’s adoption of the Graham Bill,” Ms von der Leyen wrote on X.
“Together, let us drain Russia’s means to continue a war it cannot win. With hard-hitting, complementary sanctions, Europe and the United States can once again show what historic partners can achieve when we act together,” she added.
Russian attacks kill two in southeastern Ukraine
The push for tougher sanctions comes amid continued violence on the ground. Russian strikes on Ukraine’s southeastern Dnipropetrovsk Region killed two people and injured six, according to regional officials.
Regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha said on Telegram that Russian forces carried out nearly 50 attacks across five districts, using drones, artillery and aerial bombs.
Two people died near Nikopol, a frequent target on the western bank of the Dnipro River, across from the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
One of those wounded was in serious condition, Mr Hanzha said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia today
Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky began his first official visit to Serbia today, seeking talks on security with one of the few European countries to remain closely aligned with Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Welcomed at Belgrade airport by Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, Mr Zelensky later had dinner with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
“We will discuss expanding economic ties between our countries, relations with the European Union, other areas that can benefit our nations, and security issues,” Mr Zelensky wrote on X.
Serbia has long-standing ties to Russia, and Mr Vucic has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow — a stance that has frustrated the EU and slowed Belgrade’s bid to join the bloc.
According to the Serbian presidency, Mr Vucic and Mr Zelensky are due to hold official talks on Saturday at the presidential palace and then deliver a statement to the press.
A senior Ukrainian official said before the trip that Kyiv hoped to “pull the Serbs away from Russia’s side”, but Mr Vucic has insisted Serbia’s position will not change.
“I am sure Volodymyr Zelensky, in line with his struggle and his views, will say what he thinks about sanctions against the Russian Federation, but the Republic of Serbia set out its position four and a half years ago, almost five years ago, and has not changed it since,” Mr Vucic said yesterday.
“That will remain the case until further notice.”
