A bipartisan sanctions bill is gaining momentum in the U.S. Senate, aiming to penalize countries like India and China that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas, and uranium. The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, seeks to impose a 500% tariff on goods imported from these nations, which collectively account for approximately 70% of Russia's energy trade.
The primary objective of the "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" is to pressure Russia to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine by targeting its customer base and cutting off a significant source of revenue. Senators Graham and Blumenthal briefed European allies and Ukrainian officials in Rome, expressing their conviction that the bill would provide President Donald Trump with the necessary tools to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Senator Graham stated that the strategy is to target Putin's customer base, a move that he believes European allies will support. Senator Blumenthal added that the bill marks a "real turning point" and a "game-changer" that will directly impact Putin's financial resources.
President Trump has indicated that he is "strongly considering" supporting the bill. However, he emphasized that he would want complete control over its implementation, including the ability to waive or delay tariffs unilaterally, without congressional oversight. Trump's team is reportedly lobbying to soften the bill's language, seeking to expand waiver powers and remove Congress's ability to veto waivers. According to the initial bill, the president "may terminate" the penalties under certain circumstances, but immediately reimpose them if the violations resume. Graham said the president would be allowed to waive the sanctions, for 180 days, and could also renew a waiver. But the president's decision would eventually be subject to congressional review. Overturning the president's waiver would require a vote in Congress and would need to clear the Senate's high-bar of a 60-vote threshold.
The bill has garnered significant attention, with over 80 senators from both parties backing the measure. However, it has also drawn criticism, with some warning that it could disrupt global trade and potentially raise gas prices worldwide. Others accuse the senators of ignoring domestic issues while focusing on foreign policy.
India, a major buyer of Russian crude oil, imported 35% of its total crude from Russia in 2024, making it a key target of the bill. If the 500% tariff is enforced, it could effectively shut off Indian exports to the U.S., potentially leading to trade disruption and inflation across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and electronics. Despite these concerns, India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri has defended India's oil purchases from Russia, stating that they were made legally under a price cap and with full transparency.
