The United States Senate is poised to consider the “Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026,” a bipartisan bill that has secured more than 60 co-sponsors, enough to overcome procedural hurdles. The legislation would authorise the US Trade Representative to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, as well as the top five countries deemed to be facilitating sanctions evasion. According to Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic co-author, the measure currently targets China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. The bill also mandates sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, the central bank, major lenders, and liquefied natural gas projects, while targeting the so-called shadow fleet used to circumvent existing restrictions.

Viewed from Washington, the bill’s momentum is directly tied to the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican hawk who had championed the legislation and, according to Axios, negotiated a compromise with the White House shortly before his passing. President Donald Trump has stated the bill has a “good chance” of passage and indicated he would sign it in Graham’s memory, though he has not formally endorsed it. The White House-backed compromise reduced the maximum tariff from 500% to 100% and granted the president authority to waive sanctions if he certifies to Congress that doing so serves US national interests. In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs responded that India sources crude oil from multiple countries based on its energy requirements and is “closely following” the developments. India’s imports of Russian crude hit a record €4.5 billion in June, making it the second-largest buyer after China, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

The bill includes a carve-out for European allies: countries whose Russian natural gas imports account for less than 15% of Russia’s total gas exports and that are taking “significant steps” to reduce them would be exempt. This shields nations such as France, Japan, and Belgium, but leaves China and India exposed. Analysts at the Russian investment bank Sinara, cited by Vedomosti, assess the bill’s passage as unlikely and argue that even if enacted, the impact on Russian business would be limited because the tariffs are not automatic and the president is unlikely to apply them against major trading partners. However, the legislation also codifies sanctions on Russian financial institutions and energy projects that are currently imposed by executive order, making them harder to reverse. The bill requires the US Trade Representative to reassess the list of targeted countries every 180 days and adjust tariff rates based on changes in purchasing behaviour.

The bill must still pass the Senate, where Republican leaders are gauging support for a floor vote, and then clear the House of Representatives, where its path is less certain. Supporters, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, aim to pass it before the August recess. The legislation’s fate will test the durability of the bipartisan consensus on Russia sanctions and the willingness of the Trump administration to use trade penalties against strategic partners like India, which has defended its Russian oil purchases as essential for energy security and price stability.