According to US Senator Lindsey Graham, US President Donald Trump has approved a bipartisan sanctions package against Russia that may be used as leverage against nations like China, Brazil, and India for continuing to purchase Russian oil.
The new law seeks to penalize countries that, in the midst of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the US claims are "fueling Putin's war machine" by buying cheap crude from Russia. Graham said the law might be put up for a bipartisan vote as early as next week, even though it hasn't been passed yet.
Lindsey Graham wrote on X on Wednesday (local time), "After a very productive meeting today with President Trump on a variety of issues, he greenlit the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that I have been working on for months with Senator Blumenthal and many others."
According to Graham, the bill's timing is crucial since Russia is still using force while Ukraine is making peaceful concessions. Graham added, "This bill will allow President Trump to punish those countries that buy cheap Russian oil fueling Putin's war machine," adding that Trump would have "tremendous leverage" over Brazil, China, and India.
The senator made a suggestion that a bipartisan vote on the bill might take place as early as next week. In the midst of peace talks pertaining to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, he called the law a vital diplomatic tool and expressed confidence in significant cross-party support.
The law is known as the "Sanctioning of Russia Act 2025," according to the US Congress's official website. It suggests broad punitive actions, such as fines for people and organizations associated with Russia.
Raising taxes to at least 500% of the value of all goods and services brought into the US from Russia is one of the main stipulations.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were among the US delegation members that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with on January 7.
The talks, which indicated fresh attempts to encourage Moscow to engage in talks, were on diplomatic approaches to put an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Donald Trump previously asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was dissatisfied with the US's high tariffs on Indian goods as a result of India's imports of Russian oil.
Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump stated that while he and Prime Minister Modi still get along well, there has been some tension over the tariff issue.
Trump stated, "I have a very good relationship with PM Modi, but he is not happy with me because India is paying high tariffs."
Additionally, Trump issued a warning that if India does not resolve US concerns about Russian oil supplies, Washington may increase taxes much more.
The US believes that India's oil purchases indirectly help Russia's economy during the war, which is why the 50% tariffs were implemented.
In essence, they wanted to make me happy. "Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy," Trump remarked, adding that India had lowered tariffs "very substantially."
India previously denied Trump's claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised New Delhi would cease buying Russian energy.
The government stressed that there had been no such discussion or pledge. New Delhi has repeatedly insisted that affordability and national interest are the driving forces behind its energy decisions, particularly in light of the volatility of fuel prices worldwide.
