Washington, Aug. 7 (SANA) The U.S. Senate on Friday passed a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia, primarily targeting its energy revenues, with broad bipartisan support, according to the Associated Press.
The bill, approved by a vote of 86 to 11, aims to penalize countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas and other exports. It still requires House approval before being sent to the president, though the vote will not take place until early September due to the congressional recess.
500% tariff on Russian imports
The legislation targets Russia’s energy sector by imposing a 500 percent tariff on imports from Russia, including oil and gas, as well as 100 percent tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India, according to the AP.
It also includes new sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and several senior Russian officials, and for the first time targets Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”—a group of ships that Washington says Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions imposed since 2022.
Law named after late Senator Lindsey Graham
The bill was named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who was a leading advocate for tightening sanctions on Russia, in his honor following his death in July.
Senator Darlene Graham, who succeeded her brother in the Senate, said the bill “delivers a painful blow to Putin,” adding that it directly targets countries that support Russia’s economy by purchasing Russian energy.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the bill represents “the best opportunity to cripple Russia‘s war machine and force Putin to the negotiating table.”
Democratic concerns over tariff powers
Several Democratic members expressed reservations about the new tariff powers the legislation grants to President Donald Trump.
The Russian Embassy in Washington criticized the bill in late July, saying it “would harm the United States” and warning that additional sanctions on Russia and its trading partners could lead to negative economic repercussions within the U.S., particularly in the energy sector.
The bill comes as the U.S. continues to pressure Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, with the conflict now in its fifth year.
Kh.A / H.H
