U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Russia sanctions bill into law on September 18, 2026, according to a White House statement. The legislation, formally titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, including China and India. The House of Representatives passed the bill on September 16, 2026, expanding sanctions on Russia’s leadership, energy sector, and defense industry collaborators.

The law grants Trump broad discretion over implementation, including which countries face tariffs, the rates imposed, and whether sanctions are waived. It comes into effect within 30 days and requires the president to impose duties of up to 100% on goods from the top five purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas by volume during the 12 months preceding enactment. Countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking significant steps to reduce imports are exempt from gas-related duties.

The bill also targets Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which includes vessel owners, operators, and insurers involved in energy production or sanctions evasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump for signing the bill and members of Congress for supporting it, stating that the best way to honor Senator Lindsey Graham’s memory is to implement the law fully and swiftly. Zelenskyy noted that Graham, who died on July 11, 2026, was a staunch defender of Ukraine in Washington.

The legislation extends sanctions to Iran’s energy and weapons sectors, as reported by the BBC. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a New York Democrat, described the bill as 'scorching sanctions' that would 'throttle Putin's war machine.' Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) shows that China accounted for 50% of Russian crude exports between December 2022 and August 2026, followed by India at 37%. Turkey and the European Union each accounted for 5%, though Russian energy exports to the EU have been declining.

The bill’s impact on global energy markets and diplomatic relations remains unclear. The law’s effectiveness in curbing Russian energy exports and deterring sanctions evasion will depend on its implementation and enforcement. Further details on how the U.S. will balance economic interests with geopolitical objectives are yet to be disclosed.