On 7 August, the US Senate approved, by an overwhelming majority, Lindsey Graham’s bill on sanctions against Russia and Iran, aimed at increasing economic pressure on those countries.
According to a Radio Free Europe correspondent, the decision was passed with 86 votes in favour and 11 senators voting against.
The bill now moves to the US House of Representatives.
“This bill hits Putin where it hurts most,” said Darlene Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, from the Senate floor during the vote.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Senate for its decision and emphasised that the passage of Lindsey Graham’s bill on sanctions against Russia and Iran “undoubtedly helps to increase the pressure on the aggressor to end this senseless Russian war against our independence and our people”.
“Ukraine appreciates all the support the United States is providing to Ukraine — from both parties and the entire American people. And now, as Putin is making his last-ditch attempt to prolong the war by resorting to ballistic missiles, and as we are so desperately seeking ‘Patriot’ missiles for our defence, every signal of support for the protection of life and for the swiftest possible end to the war is vital. Real, strong American pressure and sanctions against Russia are what will help the most. ‘Diplomacy comes closer with every step taken to put pressure on the aggressor,’ he noted.
The bill provides for primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and those who are helping Moscow to finance the war against Ukraine. Russian officials, major business figures and their family members, banks and other financial organisations, as well as vessels belonging to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, could be subject to these restrictions.
The bill also grants the US President the power to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from countries that are the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas or that help Russia circumvent energy sanctions. These measures may be applied to the five largest importers of Russian energy resources and the five countries most frequently involved in circumventing the restrictions. China and India are among the largest buyers of Russian oil.
Furthermore, the bill extends US sanctions powers regarding Iran’s energy and arms sectors to prevent the current restrictions from expiring.
The bill was originally championed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Following his death in July this year, the bill was named after him. At the end of July, the Senate voted 86 to 12 in favour of a procedural motion to proceed with consideration of the bill.
To come into force, the bill must be approved by the House of Representatives, after which it will be sent to US President Donald Trump for his signature. The House of Representatives is expected to resume consideration of the bill after the summer recess.
Since the Trump administration came to power, the United States has avoided imposing large-scale sanctions against Russia, seeking instead to act as a mediator to bring the war to an end. The sanctions bill had been stalled in Congress for a long time. Trump later indicated that he was prepared to approve it, subject to amendments.