Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The bill gives Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian energy products.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a major sanctions package against Moscow and Tehran on September 16, Reuters reported.
The measure, which has been described as the “sanctions from Hell,” passed by 262 votes to 159, and Trump is expected to review and sign the bill within the coming days.
The package empowers the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian energy products. This could hit countries like India and China.
It also targets Russian military leaders, foreign suppliers, and shadow fleet vessels. Export controls on goods used to make weapons will tighten under the new law.
Backlash in Moscow
In Moscow, officials monitored the developments closely.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the legislation as “unfriendly” and warned that additional sanctions “would certainly complicate efforts to find a peace settlement in Ukraine,” according to The Moscow Times.
Peskov also acknowledged the measure contained “hellish sanctions” against Russia.
Behind the scenes
The bill first surfaced in April 2025 when Senator Graham teamed up with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. Their initial proposal sought a 500% tariff on nations buying Russian oil.
That idea met resistance from the White House. The Wall Street Journal reported in June 2025 that officials quietly lobbied Graham to soften the provisions, while Politico predicted the proposal would undergo major changes.
Months of bargaining paid off during a visit to Kyiv in July 2026. Graham announced at a news conference that he had reached a breakthrough agreement with the White House on a revised package.
Just days later, the senator died suddenly. Reuters reported that President Trump authorized leaders to schedule the vote shortly before Graham passed away.
