Trump signs sanctions bill targeting Russia
· RTE.ieUS President Donald Trump has signed a bill authorising new sanctions designed to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine, shortly after it received congressional approval this week.
The legislation takes aim at Russia's energy and defence sectors, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials.
The measures also target Moscow's 'shadow fleet' of tankers used to evade western sanctions and give Mr Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
Critics say the legislation gives President Trump the power to impose levies that could last well beyond his presidency.
Some opposed to the bill also say Mr Trump already has the authority he needs to impose sanctions on Russia but has chosen not to do so.
The legislation will also target companies and foreign actors supporting Russia's military and extend sanctions involving Iran.
The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the package by a 262-159 vote on Wednesday.
The vote caused a split amongst Democrats, who largely support Ukraine but have resisted handing President Trump wider authority over trade.
Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly in July, and dozens of other senators introduced the bill in April 2025.
The bill, now called the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026' to honour the South Carolina Republican, passed the Senate last month.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the legislation was symbolic and thanked Washington for passing the bill.
Mr Zelensky had previously met with US politicians to support the measures and took the unusual step of watching an early procedural vote from a seat in the chamber.
India said on Thursday that it would continue buying oil "through diversified sourcing".
Mr Trump's signing of the bill also comes a week before he is due to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.