Trump signs law on sanctions against Russia: Zelenskyi calls for their swift implementation

19.09.2026, 13:34 rubryka.com

The Ukrainian leader also thanked the US senators and members of the House of Representatives who supported the legislation.

According to Zelenskyi, during his visits to Ukraine, Lindsey Graham repeatedly stressed the need to maintain pressure on Russia.

"When Lindsey Graham was here in Ukraine, he always spoke about how important it is not to ease pressure on Russia, to strengthen sanctions, and to seek a path to peace. In particular, in those capitals where decisions are made about purchasing Russian oil, providing financial services to Russia, and bringing Russian companies linked to Putin and the war back into normal business relations in other countries," Zelenskyi said.

Zelenskyi said it is now important to ensure the full and swift implementation of the law's provisions. He called this the best way to honor Graham's memory.

The Ukrainian president added that for everyone helping increase pressure on Russia to end the war, the best reward would be peace, as well as resolving the problems and challenges caused by the war.

"Peace comes through strength. Calm comes through security. And the best guarantee of security is determination. Thank you to everyone who resolutely defends life! Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine! America, thank you!" Zelenskyi wrote.

Trump signed the law on Friday, September 18. The legislation authorizes and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions targeting Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran.

The legislation gives the US president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that are major purchasers of Russian energy or facilitate sanctions evasion. It also provides for sanctions targeting Russian officials, financial institutions, and other persons connected to the Russian government.

Before the bill was signed, the House of Representatives held a final vote on Graham's legislation. According to the figures in the supplied draft, 262 members voted in favor and 159 against.

The law gives the US president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase Russian energy resources or help Moscow evade sanctions. It also provides for sanctions against Russian officials, banks, and the shadow fleet.

What is known about the sanctions bill against Russia

On July 15, the US Senate introduced an updated bipartisan version of a bill on new sanctions against Russia. The legislation retains tough restrictions on the Russian economy, banking sector, and "shadow fleet," while changing the approach to tariffs on countries that purchase Russian energy resources.

One of the main changes was a revised provision on tariffs for countries that purchase Russian oil and gas. While the earlier version proposed a uniform 500% tariff for all importers, the new version set a maximum tariff of up to 100%, applying only to the five largest purchasers of Russian energy resources.

The bill's authors identified China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan among the largest importers of Russian oil.

At the same time, the main sanctions package remains tough. The bill includes restrictions targeting:

The bill was introduced several days after the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, who was one of its main sponsors.

As Rubryka reported in May 2025, Senator Lindsey Graham introduced a bipartisan bill in Congress that proposed new sanctions against Russia. Among other measures, Graham proposed secondary tariffs with a uniform rate of 500% on any country purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, or other Russian goods.