President Donald Trump has enacted a new bill authorizing extensive sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Russia due to its ongoing war in Ukraine. The legislation received approval from Congress following months of deliberation.
The sanctions are focused on critical sectors of Russia’s economy, including energy and defense, and they specifically target President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking officials. Notably, the bill addresses Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers that are employed to evade Western sanctions. It also grants Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on significant purchasers of Russian oil and gas, potentially impacting countries like China and India.
The proposal was passed by the Republican-led House of Representatives with a vote of 262-159. In addition to targeting Moscow’s military supporters, the bill extends sanctions involving Iran.
The legislation had garnered mixed reactions among Democrats, who, while supporting Ukraine, expressed concerns over granting broader trade authority to Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the bill as a critical tool in efforts to halt Russian aggression, stating that strong sanctions are necessary to facilitate peace talks supported by the United States and other allies.
India has indicated it will continue purchasing oil from Russia, despite the pressure from Western nations, citing the diversification of its energy sources. Proponents of the new sanctions emphasized the necessity of heightened economic pressure on Russia, which intensified its military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The passing of the bill was celebrated by pro-Ukraine advocates amid reports of continued Russian attacks on civilian areas, including recent drone strikes claimed to have resulted in fatalities.
Trump’s decision to sign the bill comes ahead of his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.
