The US Senate has taken an important step towards passing the large-scale bipartisan bill “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026”, which provides for strengthening sanctions against Russia, its energy sector and “shadow fleet”, as well as imposing additional economic pressure on countries that buy Russian energy. After completing its consideration in the Senate, the document still needs to receive final approval from the upper chamber, after which it must be considered by the US House of Representatives.
This was reported by Politico.
The vote took place shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to US senators on Capitol Hill and after the farewell ceremony for Senator Lindsey Graham, who was one of the most consistent supporters of Ukraine in the US Congress.
In honor of the senator, lawmakers renamed the bill the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.” The bill would impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions, energy companies, and vessels of the so-called “shadow fleet,” which is used to circumvent international sanctions while exporting Russian oil.
The bill also includes provisions that would allow for targeted tariffs on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas and countries that facilitate the circumvention of the sanctions regime.
As the bill was being prepared for a vote, it also included a provision extending certain sanctions against Iran, which was the result of agreements between lawmakers and the White House.
Despite broad bipartisan support, the bill has sparked debate among some Democrats because it gives the US president broader authority to impose tariffs and the ability to temporarily postpone certain sanctions decisions.
However, the majority of senators supported the document’s passage – 86 senators voted “for” and 12 “against.”
The White House confirmed that the US president had supported the updated version of the bill after making the agreed changes.
After the Senate’s consideration, the document still needs to receive final approval from the upper chamber, after which it must be considered by the US House of Representatives.
The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) is urging the Ukrainian community in the US to continue its advocacy campaign in support of the bill.
The organization recommends appealing to its senators and members of the House of Representatives to support the final adoption of the document without weakening key sanctions provisions and emphasizing that Russia must suffer serious economic consequences for continuing the war against Ukraine.
According to UNIS, citizens can call the U.S. Congress through the central switchboard (202) 224-3121 and urge lawmakers to support the rapid passage of the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” which is intended to increase international economic pressure on Russia and its partners.
“For more than four years, Russia has waged an unprovoked war against Ukraine, deliberately attacking civilians, destroying cities and critical infrastructure, abducting Ukrainian children, and attempting to erase Ukraine’s national identity. Sanctions are one of America’s most powerful non-military tools to counter the Kremlin’s aggression. Sustained economic, diplomatic, and military pressure is essential to achieving a just and lasting peace,” UNIS says.
Photo: Francis Chung/POLITICO
Author: Inna Mikhno