US lawmakers have approved an extensive package of new sanctions against Russia aimed at weakening Moscow in connection with the war in Ukraine. These measures include restrictions in the energy sector and provide for the possibility of imposing tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil and gas. The bill was sent to President Donald Trump after months of delay.
The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the package by a vote of 262 to 159, giving final approval from Congress to the most significant US legislative effort against Moscow since Trump returned to power. Trump stated that he would sign the document, which was approved by the Senate by a vote of 86 to 11 last month.
The bill targets Russia's energy and defense sectors, as well as President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking officials, and the so-called 'shadow fleet' of Moscow tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions. Furthermore, it grants Trump the authority to impose duties of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, potentially including China and India, in order to cut off revenues financing the Moscow war.
However, the broad tariff powers caused an unusual split among Democrats, who generally support Ukraine but resisted giving Trump greater trade authority. Gregory Mix, a leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the bill 'deeply flawed.' He noted that White House lawyers drafted the current text to maximize President Trump's authority to impose new import taxes on American citizens while minimizing obligations regarding the actual imposition of new sanctions against Russia or its accomplices.
Mix said he would support the legislation if provisions on secondary tariffs were excluded, but Republicans rejected amendments aimed at limiting them.
Pressure on Putin
Nevertheless, dozens of Democrats supported the measure, offsetting the opposition of several Republicans who objected to the sanctions on free market principles or non-interference. Proponents argue that a tougher economic pressure is necessary as Russia's full-scale invasion enters its fifth year, and no peaceful resolution is in sight.
The House vote was met with support from pro-Ukraine activists, who pointed to ongoing Russian attacks, including drone strikes on civilian transport in the south on Wednesday, which Kyiv officials reported killed five people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously called on Congress to pass the sanctions package, insisting on the need for greater pressure to force Moscow into negotiations.
Zelenskyy stated during his July trip to Washington, which included a meeting with Trump: 'Putin is now losing 30 thousand of his soldiers a month... these are big losses, but he does not want to stop this war.' He added: 'So the initiative is no longer in Putin's hands.'
India announced on Thursday that it will continue to purchase oil 'from diversified sources and based on evolving market dynamics.' Moscow is one of New Delhi's most important strategic partners and military suppliers. The bill will also target companies and foreign actors supporting Russia's military actions and will expand sanctions related to Iran.
Maintaining Control
Trump traditionally prefers to maintain control over sanctions and tariffs rather than allowing Congress to dictate policy, which contributed to the delay of this measure for over a year. The bill was introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham back in April 2025, but he passed away in July. The vote on Wednesday took place shortly before members of the House were due to leave Washington for their campaign efforts ahead of the November midterm elections.
Svetlana Romanko, executive director of the Ukrainian energy lobbying group 'Razom My Stoim,' stated: 'As soon as the bill is quickly signed into law, we hope for strong US enforcement to finally stop the money flows into the Kremlin's war chest.' She emphasized: 'Every day of delay is a day when we in Ukraine must bury more people.'