Trump signs Russia sanctions law targeting Putin's oil revenues with tariffs of up to 100%
From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.
Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham, as fears grow that Vladimir Putin will order a fresh mobilisation of around 300,000 troops once Russia's vote concludes.Russia's three-day parliamentary vote, closing Sunday, leaves only pro-invasion parties in contention after Yabloko's removal, as Vladimir Putin declared casting a ballot would help secure "Russia's victory" in Ukraine.
Trump has signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law, hitting Russia's energy sector with sweeping new sanctions aimed at forcing Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table over Ukraine. The legislation passed the House 262–159 on Wednesday and cleared the Senate 86–11, with Zelensky personally thanking Trump and urging the provisions be implemented "fully and swiftly." The bill grants Trump power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian crude and gas — most significantly China, which took 50% of Russian crude exports since late 2022, and India at 37%.
The act is named for Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away in July; he had long pushed Trump to cut off Putin's war funding.
Trump gains broad discretion over which countries face tariffs, drawing concern the bill hands him too much unchecked power over enforcement.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly faces particular pressure, with the new law putting him in a serious bind over continued Russian energy purchases.
