Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill, aiming to choke off funds
for Moscow in Ukraine war
[September 19, 2026]
By SEUNG MIN KIM
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law a
sweeping sanctions package targeting Russian officials and key pillars
of its economy that is meant to punish and pressure Moscow for its
ongoing war against Ukraine.
The measure was a final legacy item for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.,
a close ally and friend of the president who had just returned from
Ukraine when he unexpectedly died in July. In the works for more than a
year, the bill passed with large bipartisan margins: 86-11 in the Senate
and 262-159 in the House.
It’s meant to starve Russian President Vladimir Putin of the resources
Moscow needs to continue its war in Ukraine after invading its neighbor
more than four years ago. The bill, also drafted by Sen. Richard
Blumenthal, D-Conn., sanctions Russian officials, banks and a shadow
fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving.
It also directs Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five
importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries
that import less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and have taken
significant steps to reduce those imports.
Sen. Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham's sister, said in a statement
Friday: “I wish Lindsey were here to celebrate this historic day. I know
he would be so proud. Lindsey believed this bill, which he worked on for
well over a year, would help end the war through squeezing Putin
economically and forcing his customers to reevaluate their relationship
with Russia.”
Darline Graham was appointed to complete her late brother's Senate term.
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President Donald Trump boards Marine One on the Ellipse near the
White House, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex
Brandon)
“If he were here today, he would be jubilant about our bill’s
passage — and already thinking about the next one,” Blumenthal said
of Graham after the House passed the legislation Wednesday evening.
Blumenthal added, “Putin is a thug who understands only force and
strength, which is what we must show clearly and unequivocally.”
Despite overwhelming support on Capitol Hill, the legislation faced
criticism from a vocal set of Democratic lawmakers who warned that
Trump could use his new expanded tariff powers to impose fresh
levies in the European Union and elsewhere.
“Why in the world would this Congress or the People’s House give
this president unfettered authority to visit more tariffs on the
world that will have an adverse economic impact on the American
people?” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said as he
laid out his opposition to the bill. “I can’t do it.”
Graham’s journey to getting Trump’s sign-off on the bill had been
full of fits and starts, as the White House had to be convinced that
the president would be able to retain sufficient flexibility on
sanctions. Eventually, Trump gave a nod to the bill after it
included his push for a five-year extension of existing sanctions on
Iran.
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