US Senate Begins Vote on Graham’s Russia Sanctions Bill as Zelensky Visits Washington

The US Senate is set to take its first procedural vote Tuesday evening on sweeping new sanctions legislation targeting Russia’s energy revenues, moving forward with a bill championed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham as President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Washington for Graham’s funeral. The Senate is scheduled to vote at 6:30 p.m. Washington time on cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 5334, the legislative vehicle for what is now called the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The vote is therefore a procedural step toward consideration of the legislation rather than a vote on final passage.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. A bipartisan group of senators announced Tuesday that they had reached agreement on the legislation, saying moving it forward would be a way to honor Graham, one of Ukraine’s most prominent supporters in Congress, who died suddenly on July 11. The legislation would impose primary and secondary sanctions targeting Russian officials, oligarchs and their family members, banks and financial institutions, foreign actors supporting Moscow’s war effort, and vessels associated with Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. Up to 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy One of the bill’s most consequential provisions would give the US president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods imported from countries that remain among the largest purchasers of Russian oil or gas. Under the current text, the measure applies to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas and the top five countries facilitating Russian energy sanctions evasion. Other Topics of Interest Zelensky Marks Olenivka Anniversary, Confirms 9,613 Prisoners of War Freed Zelensky honored Olenivka victims and confirmed thousands of war prisoners still remain in Russian captivity. That could potentially affect major trading partners such as India, Japan and some European countries. The tariffs could later be adjusted depending on whether targeted countries increase or reduce purchases of Russian energy. A separate provision would authorize duties of up to 500% on goods imported directly from Russia, including oil, natural gas, petroleum products and coal. The strategy is aimed at countries whose purchases continue generating revenue for Moscow more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Senators backing the legislation said its purpose is to prevent foreign purchases of Russian oil and gas from continuing to finance President Vladimir Putin’s war. Trump backs bill after Iran provisions added President Donald Trump has indicated support for the legislation after requesting that provisions concerning Iran be incorporated into it. The revised package extends US sanctions authority targeting Iran’s energy and weapons sectors alongside the new measures against Russia. The tariff provisions, however, have generated concern among some Democrats, who fear that granting the White House broad authority to impose tariffs on major US trading partners could raise costs for American consumers and hit allies that still depend partly on Russian energy. Despite those reservations, lawmakers from both parties agreed to proceed with Tuesday’s vote. Vote comes as Zelensky honors Graham The timing carries particular symbolism for Ukraine. Zelensky traveled to Washington for Graham’s funeral and meetings with US officials, with Senate consideration of the sanctions package taking place on the same day. Graham had announced shortly before his death that he and Trump had reached an agreement allowing the long-delayed Russia sanctions legislation to move forward. Graham’s sister, Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed on an interim basis to fill his South Carolina Senate seat, is now among the lawmakers backing the legislation bearing his name. Even if the Senate clears Tuesday’s procedural hurdle, the legislation still faces further votes before final passage and would then need action by the House of Representatives, which is not expected to resume regular business until September. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.