US President Donald Trump signed into law a new package of sanctions against Russia, the White House said on Friday. The measure is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who played a leading role in advancing the legislation and strongly supported Ukraine.
The bill passed Congress with bipartisan majorities, receiving an 86-11 vote in the Senate and a 262-159 vote in the House. According to the supplied source, the package is intended to increase pressure on Moscow over its ongoing war against Ukraine.
The law targets Russian officials and important parts of the country’s economy, including banks. It also covers a fleet of so-called shadow tankers that transport Russian energy. In addition, the legislation gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas, although some countries are exempt.
Trump may also impose sanctions on the five countries that do the most to help Russia evade energy restrictions. The measures could further complicate US trade relations with China and India, which the source identifies as significant buyers of Russian oil.
The legislation also establishes a framework for maintaining sanctions on Iran until 2031. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump and lawmakers who supported the bill, saying Graham had emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia during visits to Ukraine.
Before the signing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that additional US sanctions would obstruct efforts to reach a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, according to the supplied source. Graham died unexpectedly in July after returning from Ukraine, the source said.