WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump signed legislation on Friday authorizing a sweeping new package of sanctions aimed at ramping up economic pressure on Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine. The signing follows months of delay and comes as Washington looks to revive mediated peace efforts while balancing its attention and resources on the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The newly signed bill aggressively targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors, along with President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking officials. Crucially, the legislation takes aim at Moscow’s “shadow fleet” of tankers, which have been used to bypass existing Western sanctions.
Broad Tariff Powers and International Impact
One of the most notable provisions of the bill grants President Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major international buyers of Russian oil and gas. This measure is expected to directly pressure countries like China and India while cutting off critical revenue streams financing Moscow’s military operations.
In response to the legislation, India—which relies heavily on Russia as a strategic energy partner to navigate global energy crises—stated on Thursday that it intends to continue purchasing oil through “diversified sourcing.”
The signing comes just a week before President Trump is scheduled to host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, adding significant geopolitical weight to the timing of the new tariff authorities.
Reactions from Ukraine and Capitol Hill
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new sanctions, describing the bill on X (formerly Twitter) as “an extremely powerful tool that can stop this terrorist war and bring Russia to the point where it has to make peace.” He emphasized that joint diplomatic and economic pressure from the US and Europe is essential for peace efforts to succeed.
On Capitol Hill, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed the package earlier in the week by a 262-159 vote. While Democrats broadly support aiding Ukraine, the bill sparked an unusual division within the party; many lawmakers expressed resistance to granting President Trump such expansive and unchecked authority over trade and tariffs.
Historically, Trump has favored maintaining executive control over sanctions and tariffs rather than having Congress dictate trade policy. This preference contributed to the legislation being delayed for more than a year before finally reaching his desk. Pro-Ukraine activists celebrated the vote and signing, pointing to the urgent need for action as Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilians persist.