US President Donald Trump signed a comprehensive sanctions package targeting Russia into law on Friday, days after Congress approved the legislation with rare bipartisan support. The bill, officially named the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, honors the late Republican senator who spent over a year negotiating the measure prior to his death in July. It was co-authored alongside Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.
The legislation imposes penalties on Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior government officials, oligarchs, and major banks. It also targets Moscow’s energy and defense industries, as well as the “shadow fleet” of tankers utilized to transport Russian oil and bypass Western restrictions.
A central provision of the bill empowers the president to levy tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. This measure is expected to disproportionately affect China and India, which are currently the top importers of Russian crude. Additionally, the act extends existing sanctions on Iran’s energy and weapons sectors.
The bill passed the Senate last month and the House on Wednesday. Its passage in the House was bolstered by 58 Democrats who crossed party lines to support it, marking the first significant Ukraine-related legislation to clear Congress in more than two years.
Proponents argued the aim is to cut off funding for the Kremlin’s war effort and compel Putin to negotiate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had lobbied lawmakers before the vote, described the legislation as an “extremely powerful tool.” House Speaker Mike Johnson stated the bill applies “maximum pressure” on the Russian military machine, while Blumenthal expressed hope that it would bring Moscow to negotiations, telling Putin, “We have your number.”
Not all Democrats supported the measure. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries voted against it, warning that the tariff powers could increase costs for American families and criticizing the sanctions provisions for containing “loopholes.”
India, identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to the new tariff threats, stated earlier this week that it remains “firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people.” The signing occurs approximately a week before Trump is scheduled to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House.
It is surprising that Congress actually agreed on something for once. I hope this pressure forces Putin to actually sit down and talk.
India’s response makes sense. They have a billion people to feed and keep running, they cannot simply stop buying cheap oil.
I wonder if these tariffs will actually hurt China and India, or just drive up gas prices for regular Americans back home?
Sad to see this honors the late Lindsey Graham. His dedication to this cause was truly remarkable despite the illness.