US sanctions bill lifts pressure on Russia and boosts Ukraine's leverage

Ukraine welcomed the US Congress passing a new sanctions package against Russia. Its real impact now depends on how firmly Donald Trump enforces the new powers.

In Short

• Kyiv views the measure as raising Moscow's war costs substantially
• The bill targets Russian officials, banks and oil tanker networks
• Zelenskyy said the House vote carried political weight during attacks

Ukraine sees the new US sanctions package against Russia as another way to raise the cost of the war for Moscow and strengthen Kyiv's hand, even though its effect will depend on whether and how firmly Washington enforces it. The package, approved by the House on Wednesday after clearing the Senate in August, targets Russian officials, financial institutions and the network of tankers used to move Russian oil while avoiding sanctions.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the House vote "symbolic" on Thursday, saying it came on the same night that Russia launched another large-scale attack across Ukraine, capabilities that full implementation of the measure would derail. The Kremlin, however, said more US sanctions would hurt efforts to end the war, underlining the wider political significance of the legislation as it heads to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Ukraine has long argued that Russia will only negotiate seriously if continuing the war becomes too costly. For Kyiv, sanctions that impose real economic costs on Moscow are central to that strategy. Tom Keatinge, director of the Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI, said, "For Ukraine, the immediate benefit is political, not economic. Congress signalling political solidarity with Ukraine via its legislative support sends a valuable message to the Kremlin." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, "The US House of Representatives' passage of the Graham bill last night marks an important step toward further pressuring Russia, raising the cost of its continued aggression, and depriving the Russian war machine of resources. It is crucial not to stop there. We very much hope that this decisive move will...signal the start of a new round of intensified pressure from other partners as well."

The legislation gives Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, subject to specified exemptions. The measure passed the Senate 86-11 in August and the House 262-159 on Wednesday. Kyiv has also tried to push the costs of the war deeper into Russia through long-range strikes on oil refineries and energy infrastructure. The sanctions are seen as adding economic pressure to that military effort, especially if they hit buyers and networks helping sustain Russian energy exports.

The bill's passage follows sustained diplomatic work by Ukraine and its supporters in the United States. Named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, it was his final legislative effort. Graham spent more than a year negotiating the measure and secured an agreement with the White House shortly before his death. Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, along with other backers of Ukraine, worked for more than a year to build support and shape a version that could win backing from both the White House and Congress. Zelenskyy also stepped up his lobbying of US lawmakers, including at a closed-door meeting with senators after Graham's funeral, where he argued for continued US support and sanctions aimed at cutting into the oil and gas revenues that finance Moscow's war effort. He told lawmakers the bill was needed not only to weaken Russia's ability to keep fighting, but also to support the morale of Ukrainian troops and civilians.

The main question for Ukraine now is how strongly the Trump administration will use the new powers. "Sanctions must be strong so that all efforts for peace, and in particular our joint diplomatic efforts with the United States, Europe, and other friends, are effective," Zelenskyy said on Thursday. The bill gives the president discretion over implementation, including the use of tariff powers and the authority to waive certain sanctions under specified conditions. Keatinge said, "Ultimately, this comes down to Trump's commitment. He already has the tools to sanction Russia on his desk but has chosen to ignore supporting Ukraine in favour of a belief that his skill as a negotiator can end the war. Perhaps he has finally realised that economic pressure - his preferred response to all disputes - is the right tool in this case too." Some lawmakers are concerned that the administration could either use the tariff powers too broadly, affecting US allies, or choose not to enforce the sanctions as strongly as supporters want.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that if the United States imposed additional sanctions on Russia, it would complicate Washington-led efforts to end the war. "We are, of course, monitoring the passing of this document. This falls into the category of unfriendly actions. And, of course, the US imposing some additional sanctions would definitely complicate the efforts to find a peace settlement in Ukraine," he told reporters during his daily conference call. With Trump having so far favoured diplomacy with Moscow, the sanctions package gives Ukraine a new source of potential leverage, but its impact will rest on how fully the new powers are used.

With PTI Inputs

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