Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions over Ukraine war

President Donald Trump has signed into law a broad sanctions package targeting Russia in response to its war in Ukraine. The legislation, named the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was negotiated over more than a year and co-written with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal; it was completed after the late senator’s death in July.

The bill imposes sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior officials, oligarchs, and major Russian banks and financial institutions. It also specifically targets Moscow’s energy and defence industries and the so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to move Russian oil around existing Western sanctions.

A notable provision grants the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, a step expected to affect China and India most strongly as the top two importers of Russian crude. The legislation additionally extends sanctions on Iran’s energy and weapons sectors.

Congressional approval was bipartisan: the Senate passed the bill last month and the House approved it this week, with 58 Democrats crossing party lines in support. Supporters, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — who lobbied lawmakers before the vote and called the law “an extremely powerful tool” — say it is designed to deprive the Kremlin of war funding and push Russia toward negotiations. Dissenting voices included House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who opposed the measure and cautioned that its tariff powers could raise costs for American families and contain "loopholes." The signing comes shortly before President Trump is scheduled to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House.