US President Donald Trump signed a bill on Friday authorising new sanctions designed to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine, after Congress gave its approval following months of delay.
Washington is pushing to revive a mediated path towards ending the conflict as Moscow intensifies attacks against Ukraine, even as much of Russia’s attention and munitions remain focused on its ongoing war against Iran.
The legislation, approved by US lawmakers this week, targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors, alongside President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials. It also targets Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade Western sanctions and grants Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas — a provision that could potentially cover China and India, in a further effort to cut off revenue financing Moscow’s war.
The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the package by a 262-159 vote on Wednesday. The bill also targets companies and foreign actors supporting Russia’s military and extends sanctions involving Iran.
However, the broad powers granted to impose tariffs sparked an unusual split among Democrats, who largely support Ukraine but have resisted handing Trump wider authority over trade.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier hailed the legislation as “symbolic” and thanked US lawmakers, describing the bill as “an extremely powerful tool that can stop this terrorist war and bring Russia to the point where it has to make peace.”
“Sanctions must be strong so that all efforts for peace — including our joint diplomatic efforts with the United States, Europe, and our other friends — can succeed,” Zelensky added on X.
Meanwhile, India said on Thursday it would continue buying oil “through diversified sourcing.” New Delhi, which counts Russia as one of its most important strategic partners, has navigated the energy crisis sparked by the US-Iran conflict in part by turning to Moscow, despite pressure from Western countries.
