The US Senate has approved a far-reaching sanctions package aimed at cutting Russia’s energy income and putting fresh pressure on President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
The legislation, passed on Friday, targets Russian officials, wealthy business leaders, financial institutions and the so-called shadow fleet of vessels accused of helping Moscow bypass restrictions on its oil exports.
The bill will now move to the House of Representatives, although lawmakers will not vote on it until at least early September because Congress is currently on its summer recess.
One of the most serious measures in the package would give President Donald Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian imports, including oil and gas.
The legislation also provides for tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from major buyers of Russian energy, including China and India.
Supporters of the measure argue that cutting Russia’s access to energy revenue would make it harder for Putin to fund the war in Ukraine, which has entered its fifth year.
Putin himself would be among those facing sanctions if the bill becomes law, alongside other senior Russian officials.
The legislation was named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11 after spending more than a year working to build support for the sanctions package.
Before his death, Graham said he had reached an agreement with the White House on a revised version of the bill. The changes included extending existing sanctions powers aimed at limiting Iran’s energy and weapons funding.
Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, who replaced him in Congress, said passing the legislation would serve as a tribute to her late brother.
She said the bill would not only honour him, "but will also promote peace by cutting off the funding fueling Russia's war machine."
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who sits on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, said the measure would put heavy pressure on Russia’s key sources of income.
The bill "hits Russia's energy and financial sectors very hard," Shaheen said.
"Vladimir Putin only understands strength, and he only responds to pressure," Shaheen added. "This legislation represents our best opportunity to finally bring Russia's war machine to its knees and to force Putin to the negotiating table."
Russia has rejected the proposed measures. Its embassy in the United States said the bill "does the current US administration a disservice."
The Senate action comes as Moscow also faces continued pressure from Europe over its war in Ukraine.
The European Union last month approved another set of sanctions against Russia, although the final package was less severe than some of the earlier proposals.
The latest package is the EU’s 21st since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Its approval was delayed by disagreements among member states over several proposed measures.
A key part of the package seeks to keep the existing cap on the price of Russian oil in place, with the aim of limiting Moscow’s ability to benefit from higher global oil prices linked to the war involving Iran.
Diplomats said the final obstacle to the agreement was removed after Greece received an exemption allowing shipping companies to continue transporting Russian liquefied natural gas from the Arctic.
The European measures also target Russia’s financial sector and cryptocurrency companies while adding scores of Russian officials to the sanctions list over the war.
However, an earlier proposal for a broad visa ban was dropped from the final package.