US Congress approves bill on sanctions against Russia
The US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a sanctions bill designed to put Russia under greater pressure over the war in Ukraine, after the Senate backed the legislation last month.
The House voted by a clear majority of 262 to 159 in favour of the bill, which must now go to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.
Seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, meaning Democratic votes were also needed for it to pass.
The bill was largely spearheaded by the late US senator Lindsey Graham.
Ukraine welcomed the move. “This is the right response to Russia’s refusal to end its terror: uncompromising pressure on the aggressor to defund its war machine,” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, one of the bill’s co-authors, wrote on X that it was a “historic triumph” for democracy, both the US’ and Ukraine’s.
Blumenthal most recently visited Kiev in August as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky honoured families of soldiers.
“I vowed then, as I have every day for the last few years, that our tribute to the fallen defenders of Ukraine would be the passage of this legislation to help bring an end to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s hideous slaughter & prevent future bloodshed,” he wrote.
Blumenthal said he was overwhelmed with gratitude and paid tribute to Graham for his “relentless drive” on the bill.
“So today we celebrate, & tomorrow, we redouble work on sending Ukraine whatever it needs to prevail. Putin is a thug who understands only force & strength, which is what we must show clearly & unequivocally.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill placed maximum pressure on Putin and the Russian war machine.
“For too long, Putin has bankrolled this devastating war with money and resources from countries willing to look the other way, and today, that ends,” he wrote on X.
“This bill sends a powerful message of American unity and gives the Administration every tool in the toolbox to help bring this war to a just end, and we are proud to send it to the President’s desk.”
Taking aim at financing of Ukraine war
As well as imposing direct sanctions on Russian politicians and companies, the bill is intended to further curb Russian oil and gas exports, which are central to the financing of the war against Ukraine.
It authorizes Trump to impose tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian energy resources – as well as the five countries that do the most to help Russia circumvent energy sanctions.
This could further strain US trade relations with China and India, which are major importers of Russian crude oil.
Initially, the focus will be on the five largest buyers of Russian energy in the 12 months prior to the law coming into force. Tariffs may therefore amount to up to 100%.
The rate may be adjusted over time, depending on whether a country is making efforts to wean itself off Russian oil and gas. The five largest importers are to be reassessed every 180 days.
At the same time, there are to be exemptions for countries whose imports account for less than 15% of Russian natural gas exports over a 12-month period and which take measures to reduce these purchases. Senator Blumenthal pointed out in July that Washington’s European allies would not be affected.