A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a new Russia sanctions bill that could allow the Trump administration to impose tariffs on countries, including India, that continue to purchase Russian oil. The legislation forms part of a broader package of sanctions targeting Russia’s economy, financial sector, defence industry and political leadership.

The bill, unveiled on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, has received backing from the Trump administration, according to lawmakers and a White House official. It must still pass both chambers of Congress before it can be signed into law by President Donald Trump.

Bill Targets Major Buyers Of Russian Oil

The legislation, described by some lawmakers as the “Lindsey Graham Russia Accountability Bill”, was introduced by Senators Richard Blumenthal and Jeanne Shaheen along with Republicans Roger Wicker, Katie Britt and several other senators from both parties.

It was announced shortly after the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, who colleagues said had spent nearly two years negotiating the legislation and was instrumental in shaping the proposal.

Senator Richard Blumenthal said the bill would impose full blocking sanctions on large sections of Russia’s economy, including its energy and financial sectors, defence industry, oligarchs, business leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Separately, the legislation authorises the administration to impose tariffs, at rates to be determined by the US Trade Representative, on imports from countries identified as the largest buyers of Russian oil.

Blumenthal named India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan as the five countries covered by the provision.

Tariff Rates Yet To Be Finalised

Lawmakers said the tariff rate has not been specified in the bill and will be determined later by the US Trade Representative.

Blumenthal said he expected the tariff to be high enough “to discourage strongly China, India, and other major purchasers of Russian oil and gas”, but declined to indicate what the final rate might be.

The bill also includes waiver provisions and requires the administration to report to Congress if tariff levels are reduced.

Another provision targets buyers of Russian natural gas. However, countries importing less than 15 per cent of their gas from Russia while reducing purchases would be exempt, a measure lawmakers said would shield most European allies.

Shadow Fleet Provision And Narrower Scope

Senator James Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he had secured a separate provision targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers, which has been used to bypass existing sanctions and continue exporting oil.

Lawmakers said the latest version of the bill is significantly narrower than earlier drafts, which could reportedly have applied tariffs to as many as 63 countries.

Blumenthal said the revised proposal focuses on a “very discreet number” of countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, adding that the changes reflected feedback from the Trump administration, which he said had formally endorsed the legislation.

Senators Seek Swift Passage

Several senators paid tribute to Lindsey Graham during the announcement, describing him as the principal architect of the legislation.

Senator Roger Wicker called it “Lindsey Graham’s greatest achievement”, while Senator Ted Cruz said Graham had personally negotiated the bill’s provisions with President Trump before his death and urged lawmakers to pass it “overwhelmingly”.

Senators said they hoped the Senate could vote on the legislation before the end of August after receiving assurances from Senate leadership that it would be brought forward once sufficient support was secured.

Asked whether sanctions relating to Iran or Hezbollah could be added to the bill, Blumenthal said lawmakers preferred to advance the current version rather than reopen negotiations, although he did not rule out separate legislation in the future.

India Maintains Russian Oil Purchases

India has continued purchasing discounted Russian crude despite pressure from Western countries since 2022, with Russian oil now accounting for a significant share of the country’s imports.

New Delhi has consistently defended the purchases, saying they are necessary for energy security and affordable fuel supplies, while also helping maintain stability in global oil markets.

Earlier, a White House official told ANI that President Trump supports the legislation. If enacted, the bill would give the President the authority to impose tariffs of up to 500 per cent on imports from countries doing business with Russia’s energy sector.

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