US President Donald Trump has signed into law a sweeping sanctions package aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The legislation, officially known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was approved by Congress earlier this week after months of delays. Trump signed the measure on Friday, September 18.
The new law targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors, senior government officials, banks and foreign entities accused of supporting Moscow’s military operations or helping it evade existing sanctions.
It also targets Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a network of tankers used to transport Russian oil while circumventing Western restrictions.
One of the most significant provisions gives Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. Major buyers, including India and China, could potentially be affected, although the tariffs are not automatically imposed by the law and would require further action by the US president.
The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the legislation by 262 votes to 159 on Wednesday, following an 86-11 Senate vote in August. The measure received bipartisan support, although some Democrats opposed the broad tariff powers it grants Trump.
The legislation also extends sanctions relating to Iran and provides additional measures against foreign companies and individuals accused of supporting Russia’s military or helping Moscow circumvent sanctions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the congressional approval, describing the sanctions as a potentially powerful tool for increasing pressure on Moscow and supporting diplomatic efforts to end the war.
India, meanwhile, has maintained its position on purchasing Russian oil through diversified sources, despite pressure from Western countries over its energy trade with Moscow.
The signing comes as Washington seeks to revive diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while Russia continues military operations in Ukraine.
The new sanctions regime also comes ahead of Trump’s expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, placing Russia’s energy trade and the broader US-China relationship among the issues likely to attract international attention.
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