US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill; India among top oil buyers facing tariff threat

Washington: The US Senate has taken the first formal step towards passing a sweeping bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged lawmakers to increase pressure on Moscow and sustain American support for Kyiv.

The Senate voted 86-12 in favour of opening debate on the legislation, which seeks to penalise countries that continue buying Russian oil, gas and other exports. The vote came after more than a year of negotiations and just hours after the funeral of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the bill's chief architects.

Zelenskyy, who travelled to Washington to attend Graham's funeral, met senators before the vote and later watched proceedings from the Senate gallery, acknowledging lawmakers with a wave after the measure advanced.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine gaining ground

Following the closed-door meeting, Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana said Zelenskyy described the sanctions bill as an important moral signal for Ukraine, which remains under intense pressure but is making progress in the war.

Young said the Ukrainian leader presented an optimistic assessment of the battlefield, telling senators that Ukrainian forces were advancing in several areas.

Republican Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia said Zelenskyy believed Ukraine had moved beyond merely defending itself.

"In the first year it was survival. The next three years was getting your feet under you. But now they are winning," Justice quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota said Zelenskyy argued that tougher sanctions would increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and encourage negotiations to end the conflict.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire described the legislation as a strong bipartisan message to Moscow, saying it represented one of the best opportunities for the United States to support Ukraine while helping safeguard the rest of Europe against growing Russian aggression.

Graham's legacy shapes momentum

The legislation gained additional momentum following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, who had negotiated the bill alongside Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

The two senators announced an agreement with the White House on July 10, just a day before Graham died, reportedly from an aortic tear. Graham had recently returned from Ukraine, where he met Zelenskyy.

Blumenthal said Graham had described the agreement as a "big effing deal" during their final conversation, adding that the sanctions package would become a significant part of his legacy.

He said support for the bill had grown because of Ukraine's recent military gains, the lengthy bipartisan negotiations and the emotional impact of Graham's death. Blumenthal also said seeing Zelenskyy watch the vote from the Senate gallery was "truly a moment of joy".

Bill targets Russian energy exports

Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy also met US President Donald Trump to discuss additional American assistance for Ukraine.

The proposed legislation would allow the US president to impose tariffs on the world's five largest buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, with China and India among the primary targets. Countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce dependence would qualify for exemptions.

The bill also expands sanctions against Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, financial institutions and Russian energy projects. It further targets older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia allegedly uses to evade existing sanctions on its energy exports.

The legislation includes waiver powers allowing the president to suspend sanctions if certified to Congress as being in the national interest. Negotiators also added provisions extending certain sanctions on Iran after a request from Trump. 

Some Democrats raise concerns

Despite broad bipartisan backing, some Democrats remain concerned about granting the president wider tariff powers.

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon said giving Trump additional authority over tariffs would be "extremely dangerous", arguing it could worsen the economic effects of previous tariff measures. Wyden said he would introduce an amendment to revise parts of the tariff provisions during Senate debate.

Arizona Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego said he remained undecided before the vote, citing concerns over the tariff measures. He said he would consider Zelenskyy's appeal before making what he described as "a game time decision."