US President Donald Trump Enacts Sweeping Bipartisan Sanctions and Tariffs Against Russia Over Ukraine War

US President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2026 [Jim Watson/AFP]. US President Donald Trump has officially signed into law a major sanctions package directed at Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine, following overwhelming bipartisan approval in Congress.

The legislation, formally titled the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was enacted on Friday. It pays tribute to the late Republican senator who spent over a year negotiating the bill prior to his unexpected passing in July, having co-written the measure alongside Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.

The newly signed bill places strict sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, key government officials, oligarchs, and major Russian financial institutions. Furthermore, it targets Moscow's vital energy and defence sectors, alongside the network of shadow fleet tankers utilized to bypass Western oil restrictions.

A central provision of the legislation grants US President Donald Trump the power to enact tariffs reaching up to 100 percent against the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, a policy projected to heavily impact China and India. Additionally, the legislation extends existing measures against Iran's weapons and energy industries.

Having cleared the Senate last month and subsequently passing the House on Wednesday with support from 58 Democrats, this legislation represents the first significant Ukraine-focused bill approved by Congress in over two years. Proponents argue the framework aims to deprive the Kremlin of financial resources and encourage negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the law as a vital mechanism, while House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized its role in exerting maximum pressure on the conflict. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal expressed optimism regarding diplomacy, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed concerns that tariff authorities might increase financial burdens for American citizens.

An oil tanker operating as part of Russia’s shadow fleet is intercepted by British forces in the English Channel, in Portland, England, on June 15, 2026 [Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images]. In response to the developments, India reaffirmed its dedication to national energy security, while US President Donald Trump prepares to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House.