The US Senate passed a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia's energy revenues. The legislation, now moving to the House of Representatives, aims to impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian gas and oil imports and 100-percent tariffs on the top five importing countries, including China and India. The bill also introduces new sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking officials and targets Russia's shadow fleet for the first time.
Republican Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that the sanctions could bring Russia to the negotiating table and end the conflict with Ukraine. He emphasized that the measures would cut off the flow of cash powering Putin's war machine. The bill was named in honor of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who strongly advocated for new sanctions against Moscow.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the bill sends an unambiguous and bipartisan message to Putin. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer assured that top buyers of Russian oil and gas would no longer be penalized if they dropped in the rankings. However, several House members expressed reservations, suggesting that passage in the lower chamber could be challenging.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the passage of the bill, calling for a united effort to drain Russia's means to continue the war. The Russian Embassy in Washington condemned the legislation, arguing it would be counterproductive for the United States given the war in Iran and rising gas prices.
