Trump Signs Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill Into Law, Expanding Pressure Over Ukraine War

September 21, 2026 — The new law targets Russian officials, banks and energy networks while giving President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

President Donald Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions package into law on September 18, expanding Washington’s economic pressure on Moscow over its continuing war in Ukraine and tightening restrictions across several sectors.

The measure, formally titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, authorizes broader sanctions, tariffs and prohibitions targeting Russia while also extending existing U.S. sanctions authorities related to Iran.

The legislation targets Russian officials, financial institutions and parts of the energy trade, including the so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to move Russian oil despite Western restrictions.

Supporters say the law is designed to reduce the revenue available to President Vladimir Putin’s government for financing military operations, particularly by raising costs for companies and countries continuing major energy transactions with Russia.

One of the law’s most consequential provisions gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas under specified conditions.

An exception applies to countries importing less than 15 percent of Russia’s natural-gas exports if they have also taken significant steps to reduce their dependence on Russian energy supplies.

The legislation passed Congress with substantial bipartisan support, clearing the Senate by an 86-11 vote before the House approved it 262-159 and sent the measure to the president.

The bill became closely associated with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who worked on the proposal for more than a year before his unexpected death in July.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut helped draft the measure alongside Graham and continued pushing for its passage after Graham’s death, presenting the legislation as additional economic leverage against Moscow.

Darline Graham, who was appointed to complete her late brother’s Senate term, said the legislation reflected his belief that stronger economic pressure could push Russia and its major customers to reconsider their choices.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had publicly urged U.S. lawmakers to advance the package, arguing that stronger sanctions could complement Ukraine’s military efforts by reducing resources available to support Russia’s war.

The measure represents one of Washington’s most significant new sanctions initiatives related to Ukraine in recent years, after prolonged congressional divisions over military assistance, economic pressure and the broader U.S. role.

Its practical effect, however, will depend heavily on how the Trump administration uses the authorities Congress granted, including decisions about tariff levels, sanctions enforcement, exemptions and possible presidential waivers.

Some Democratic lawmakers opposed the legislation despite supporting pressure on Russia, warning that the expanded tariff authority could be used against U.S. allies or create additional economic costs for American consumers.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned why Congress should provide such broad tariff power to the president, arguing during debate that new levies could have adverse economic consequences for Americans.

The White House had previously sought flexibility over how sanctions could be applied or waived, and the administration formally backed the bill after negotiations addressed concerns about presidential discretion and implementation.

Trump’s support was also linked to the bill’s inclusion of a five-year extension of existing Iran sanctions, a provision the administration said preserved important authorities concerning Tehran’s activities and nuclear ambitions.

Russia has criticized the sanctions initiative. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the legislation could complicate diplomatic efforts, while Ukrainian officials have argued that stronger economic pressure may improve Kyiv’s negotiating leverage.

The law arrives as Russia and Ukraine continue exchanging long-range strikes, while energy infrastructure remains central to the conflict and to international efforts aimed at limiting Moscow’s ability to generate wartime revenue.

With Trump’s signature, the focus now shifts from congressional passage to enforcement, where decisions involving Russian banks, tankers, energy buyers and tariff exemptions will determine how strongly the new law affects Moscow.