The United States Senate has passed a sweeping sanctions bill authorising President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the world’s top five importers of Russian oil and natural gas, a list that includes India and China. The measure, titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, was approved by an 86‑11 vote late Friday.
The legislation is named after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent advocate of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had long pressed for stronger action against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, now entering its fifth year. His sister, Darline Graham, who succeeded him in the Senate, said the bill “hits President Putin where it hurts.”
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who worked with Graham on the proposal, told colleagues the measure sends a clear message of solidarity. “Today we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And today we say to Vladimir Putin: You will not conquer Ukraine,” Blumenthal said during floor debate.
The bill empowers the White House to impose punitive tariffs on India, China, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Slovakia, identified as the largest buyers of Russian energy. It provides exemptions for nations importing less than 15 percent of their natural gas from Russia and actively reducing those purchases.
Beyond tariffs, the package expands sanctions against Russian leadership, financial institutions, and energy projects. It targets older, reflagged oil tankers used to bypass existing restrictions and extends penalties to companies aiding Moscow’s energy revenues. The president retains authority to waive sanctions if deemed in the national interest, subject to certification before Congress.
The legislation also renews the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, extending its expiration date to 2031. That law penalizes firms investing in Iran’s energy sector, underscoring Washington’s dual focus on Russia and Iran as strategic adversaries.
The Ukrainian embassy in Washington welcomed the Senate vote, calling it a “timely step” to increase pressure on Moscow. Ukrainian officials said the measure demonstrates bipartisan support for Kyiv’s struggle and reinforces international isolation of Russia.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, which reconvenes on August 31. If passed, it will be sent to President Trump for signature. Administration officials have not yet indicated whether the White House intends to immediately impose tariffs on India and China, though the authority granted by the bill is broad.
India and China, both major energy consumers, have continued to purchase Russian oil despite Western sanctions, citing affordability and supply security. US officials have previously urged New Delhi to diversify energy sources, while Moscow has defended its trade with India as mutually beneficial.
The Senate vote marks one of the most significant escalations in US sanctions policy since the Ukraine war began. With bipartisan backing and strong symbolic weight attached to Graham’s legacy, the measure signals Washington’s intent to intensify economic pressure on Russia while testing the resilience of its global energy partnerships. 
