US Senate advances Russia sanctions bill; India faces risk of up to 100% tariffs

The US Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted to advance a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia and Iran, setting the stage for final passage of legislation that could have implications for India, one of the world's largest buyers of Russian crude oil.

In an 86-12 procedural vote, nearly all Republicans and a majority of Democrats backed the motion to move forward with the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, named after the late Republican senator from South Carolina.

Republican Senator Rand Paul was the lone member of his party to oppose the Bill.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the legislation was designed to cut off Russian President Vladimir Putin's "most important resource in his war against Ukraine: his money."

"For the first time, this bill would impose sanctions on the Russian shadow fleet and any foreign vessel that's used by the Russian government for sanctions evasion," she said, adding that "pressure is the only language Vladimir Putin understands."

The vote came hours after senators paid tribute to Graham and immediately after a closed-door meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

While Tuesday's vote does not amount to final passage, Senate leaders hope the overwhelming bipartisan backing will allow the legislation to move quickly through the chamber.

The legislation seeks to tighten economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine by expanding sanctions on Russian officials, banks, entities supporting Moscow's war effort and the so-called "shadow fleet" of vessels used to evade Western sanctions.

It also extends sanctions authority targeting Iran's energy and weapons sectors that would otherwise expire later this year.

A provision closely watched by New Delhi would authorise the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that continue purchasing Russian crude oil or natural gas after the law takes effect.

The bill, however, provides an exemption for countries whose Russian natural gas imports account for less than 15% of Russia's total gas exports and which are reducing such purchases.

India is currently the world's second-largest buyer of Russian crude after China. Its dependence on Russian oil has increased following disruptions to Gulf crude supplies amid the West Asia conflict and shipping constraints through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Bill also targets Russia's shadow fleet by sanctioning vessels, owners, operators, insurers and others involved in transporting Russian oil and other commodities in violation of sanctions.

Announcing a bipartisan agreement before the vote, Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, Darline Graham, Katie Britt, Roger Wicker and Jim Risch said the legislation would stop purchasers of Russian oil and gas from "fueling Putin's war machine" while continuing restrictions on Iran's ability to finance terrorism and its nuclear programme.

"There is no greater way to honor Senator Graham's legacy than to move forward with this bipartisan agreement," the senators said.

Graham had been leading negotiations with the Trump administration to modify the language to secure President Donald Trump's support before his sudden demise. Trump later indicated that the administration would work with Congress to complete the package.

The United States had previously targeted India's purchases of Russian energy. In August 2025, President Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, taking total tariffs on India to 50% before they were withdrawn in February.