A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, a sweeping package championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham that would impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas. The White House has signaled its support for the legislation, which aims to pressure Moscow into negotiations over its war in Ukraine.
The bill targets the top five buyers of Russian oil — China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan — with similar tariffs on leading natural gas importers including France, Belgium, and Japan. Countries importing less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports would be exempted, effectively shielding most European nations. The legislation also proposes secondary tariffs on third countries that continue sourcing Russian energy.
Graham, one of the Senate's most vocal Ukraine supporters, died unexpectedly over the weekend. Senator Jeanne Shaheen is working to secure a majority for the package in his honor, as the United States remains engaged in a separate conflict with Iran.