President Donald Trump signed legislation on Friday imposing sweeping sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine. The law targets energy revenues and shadow tankers, while granting the executive wide authority to levy up to 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian energy and nations aiding sanctions evasion.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act
US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law on Friday, following congressional approval that moved swiftly through the Republican-led House. The legislation passed the House in a bipartisan 262–159 vote on Wednesday amid concerns the legislation gives him too much power. Originally introduced in April 2025 by Lindsey Graham and dozens of other senators, the package was named the ‘Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ to honor the South Carolina Republican, who died suddenly in July. The bill had also passed the Senate last month.
While the Trump administration had previously been doubtful about imposing additional sanctions on Moscow, it changed its stance after repeated attempts to end its four and a half year war against Ukraine have stalled. The new statute targets the core financial engines keeping the conflict alive, placing direct sights on Russia’s energy and defense sectors, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials.
Targeting Shadow Tankers and Energy Revenues
The legislation is designed specifically to deplete Russia’s ability to continue funding the war by targeting its natural gas and oil revenues, as well as countries that continue to buy Russian energy. The legislation imposes new sanctions on Russian political and military officials and foreign networks helping to supply Russia’s war machine and evade existing sanctions. Among its distinct provisions, the measures target Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers, which have allowed the country to continue to ship crude around the world despite existing sanctions on its energy exports.
Beyond penalizing Russian actors, the legislation will also target companies and foreign actors supporting Russia’s military and extend sanctions involving Iran. These provisions create strict regulatory boundaries for international trade partners, though the final enforcement mechanisms remain heavily concentrated in the executive branch.
Broad Executive Authority and Tariff Controversies
A central point of contention involves the expansive discretion granted to the White House. The bill gives Trump wide leeway over its implementation, including which countries could face tariffs, which tariff rates could be imposed, and sweeping discretion over whether sanctions provisions can be waived against certain countries.
Controversially, the legislation gives Mr Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian energy, including China, and on other countries that help Moscow to evade sanctions. This provision drew sharp criticism from many Democrats, who complained that it gave Trump excessive authority to resort to tariffs and power to impose levies that could last well beyond his presidency. Critics noted that Trump has already imposed tariffs on multiple countries despite a US supreme court ruling prohibiting him from doing so under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Some opposed to the bill also said Mr Trump already has the authority he needs to impose sanctions on Russia but has chosen not to do so. The vote caused a split amongst Democrats, who largely support Ukraine but have resisted handing President Trump wider authority over trade.
Global Reactions and Strategic Timing
International response to the signing has been swift. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the move, saying the legislation was symbolic and thanking Washington for passing the bill. Mr Zelensky had previously met with US politicians to support the measures and took the unusual step of watching an early procedural vote from a seat in the chamber.
Other global trading partners are already adjusting their positions. India said on Thursday that it would continue buying oil through diversified sourcing. Meanwhile, Mr Trump’s signing of the bill also comes a week before he is due to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, setting a high-stakes diplomatic backdrop given the bill’s specific authorization to target buyers like China with prohibitive 100% tariffs.
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