The U.S. Senate has moved forward with a bipartisan sanctions bill aimed at crippling Russia’s war machine by targeting its oil and gas purchases, while also including new sanctions against Iran. The legislation, which carries the legacy of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, seeks to impose up to 500% tariffs on Russian imports and up to 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian energy, such as China and India.

Darline Graham, R-S.C., who has taken up her late brother Lindsey Graham’s sanctions crusade, announced that the package would be renamed in his honor and expanded to include additional Iran penalties. The bill also maintains targeted sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian officials, and military leaders.

Senate discussions come at a critical moment for Ukraine, with lawmakers preparing for a vote on the sanctions legislation. Senator Blumenthal emphasized the bill’s core purpose: "to stop purchases of Russian oil and gas from fueling Putin’s war machine, and we're at a really pivotal time for Ukraine."

The late Sen. Lindsey Graham was recognized as a staunch supporter of Ukraine and a passionate advocate for sanctions as a tool to end conflicts without deploying U.S. military forces. "Literally the first conversation I ever had with Lindsey Graham was about Russia sanctions," a Senate source recalled.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with lawmakers ahead of the Senate vote. Discussions also included licenses for Patriot interceptor production and other measures to support Ukraine.

Meanwhile, a pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik showed President Vladimir Putin chairing a June 2, 2026, meeting on promoting the Russian language and the languages of the peoples of Russia.

Sources