Trump Signs Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill Into Law
Trump signed a bipartisan sanctions package aimed at pressuring Moscow over its war in Ukraine, closing out a bill championed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
President Donald Trump signed a broad sanctions package into law on Friday, aimed at squeezing the resources available to Moscow as its war in Ukraine continues, more than four years after the invasion began.
The legislation targets Russian officials, banks and a so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to keep Russian energy exports moving. It also directs the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas.
Countries that take in less than 15% of Russia's natural gas exports and have made significant efforts to cut those imports would be exempt from the tariff measure.
The bill was a final legislative achievement for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and close ally of the president who had just returned from Ukraine when he died unexpectedly in July. It was more than a year in the making and drew support from both parties, passing the Senate 86-11 and the House 262-159.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, also helped draft the measure. Its stated purpose is to deprive Russian President Vladimir Putin of the means to sustain the war effort.