US President Donald Trump has signed into law a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The legislation, signed on Friday, expands US sanctions against Russia’s energy and defence sectors, senior Russian officials and financial institutions, while also targeting the network of tankers known as Russia’s “shadow fleet”, which has been used to circumvent existing restrictions on Russian oil exports.
The measure, formally known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was approved by Congress after months of delays. It passed the House of Representatives by 262 votes to 159 after previously securing Senate approval by 86 to 11.
One of the most significant provisions gives President Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, potentially affecting countries including China and India, two of Russia’s major energy customers.
The legislation is designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow by restricting revenues from its energy exports and targeting individuals and networks accused of helping Russia sustain its war effort.
The bill also extends existing US sanctions against Iran and gives the White House broad discretion over how some of the new Russia-related measures are implemented.
The legislation has attracted criticism from some Democratic lawmakers, who support sanctions against Russia but have raised concerns about granting the president extensive powers to impose tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian energy.
The White House said the law authorises and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs and prohibitions against Russia while extending existing sanctions on Iran.
The signing comes as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine remain uncertain, with Washington continuing to push for negotiations while fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues.
The new law now puts additional economic pressure on Russia and could also have wider implications for countries that maintain significant energy-trading relationships with Moscow.
