US Senate passes sweeping Russia sanctions package targeting energy revenues

In a move aimed at increasing economic pressure on Moscow, the US Senate on Friday passed a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy revenues.

The legislation will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration. However, lawmakers are not expected to vote on the package until early September due to the congressional summer recess.

The legislation passed 86-11 and now heads to the House of Representatives. However, a House vote is unlikely before lawmakers return from the congressional summer recess in early September.

The package would impose sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions and the so-called shadow fleet used to evade restrictions on Moscow’s oil exports. It would also allow President Donald Trump to set tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian imports, including gas and oil.

Crucially, the sanctions would enable Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including countries such as China and India.

Supporters say choking off energy income is essential to weakening Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year.

If adopted into law, Putin himself would be among those targeted by the sanctions, as well as other top officials.

The Senate vote came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met senators from both parties at the Capitol last week and publicly backed the sanctions package. Senator Richard Blumenthal said the legislation sent a message that Ukraine was not alone and that Putin would not be allowed to conquer the country.

The measure represents the most substantial congressional move during President Donald Trump’s second term so far to alter the dynamics of the war. Trump has supported the sanctions package, increasing pressure on the House to consider it and send it to the White House for his signature.

The bill was developed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Blumenthal following more than a year of negotiations with the White House. Graham died suddenly the day after announcing a deal with the administration on the legislation.

However, the package faced opposition over provisions giving Trump new tariff powers. Critics, including Republican Senator Rand Paul and Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, argued the authority could increase costs for American consumers and contribute to inflation.

The legislation gives the president the power to waive sanctions or restrictions if the White House certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

The House had already approved a separate measure in June that included security and reconstruction assistance for Ukraine as well as sanctions targeting key sectors of Russia’s economy. The Senate’s action is now expected to increase pressure on House lawmakers to take up the new package when they return.

With inputs from agencies