US Senate begins floor debate on Russia sanctions bill, vote possible Aug. 7
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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
The U.S. Senate began considering legislation on Aug. 7 that would impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, seeking to deprive Moscow of revenue for its war against Ukraine.
The bill has been stalled in Congress since April 2025 amid President Donald Trump's evolving approach to Russia's war in Ukraine. The Senate could hold a vote on the legislation on Aug. 7.
The revised bill emerged from negotiations between the White House and the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who said shortly before his death on July 11 that he had secured the Trump administration's support for the proposal.
Unlike the original version, which proposed a blanket 500% tariff on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil or natural gas, the revised legislation would impose tariffs of up to 100% on the world's five largest buyers of Russian energy.
The same maximum tariff would apply to the five countries most involved in helping Russia evade oil sanctions.
Under the draft legislation, the list of the five largest purchasers would be reviewed every 180 days. Countries that import less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports and are actively reducing those imports would be exempt.
China, India, and Turkey are currently the largest buyers of Russian oil, while the EU, China, and Turkey are among the largest importers of Russian natural gas.
The legislation would also target Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials, as well as major Russian financial institutions, including the Central Bank, Sberbank, and Gazprombank.
It would further target Russian state-owned companies, foreign entities supporting Russia's defense-industrial base, and major Russian energy projects.
The bill also includes measures targeting Russia's shadow fleet, which Moscow uses to continue exporting oil despite Western sanctions, as well as China's support for Russia's defense industry.
