The Trump administration has agreed to support legislation that would impose sanctions on buyers of Russian oil and gas, a move aimed at curbing funding for Russia's war in Ukraine. The announcement came Friday from a bipartisan group of senators.
The bill, initially introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) last year, has garnered support from over 80 senators. It had previously stalled as President Trump pursued negotiations to end the conflict.
"We are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement with the Trump Administration to move our updated Russia sanctions legislation forward," Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Graham stated jointly. "As Russia intensifies its slaughter of civilians, it is imperative that the legislative and executive branches work together to create tools to exact a heavy price on those who buy Russian oil and natural gas, fueling the Putin war machine."
The senators expect to introduce the revised legislation soon, with potential Senate action possible as early as Monday.
Originally, the Sanctioning Russia Act proposed a 500% tariff on nations importing energy from Russia, a significant revenue source for the Kremlin. Details of the specific changes agreed upon by the lawmakers and the administration were not immediately clear.
Senator Graham, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier on Friday, expressed optimism about resolving the conflict. He stated, according to Ukrainian media, that there is a plan to "end this war; help Ukraine be more lethal; let those supporting Russia to know it's going to be a price to be paid if you keep doing it; and to try to find an off-ramp, not to humiliate Putin, but to end this war so that Ukraine will thrive and survive."
Graham vowed that the agreement with the White House ensures the legislation "is going to become law." The bill is also designed to incentivize countries to seek alternative energy sources.
President Trump has previously indicated support for the sanctions bill. He met with President Zelensky earlier in the week at the NATO summit, noting their improved relationship and pledging to grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot air-defense missiles.