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| Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. |
US Senate Advances Russia Sanctions Bill With Strong Bipartisan Support
WASHINGTON — July 28, 2026
The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly voted to move forward with legislation that would impose tougher sanctions on Russia and introduce steep tariffs on countries that continue importing Russian oil and natural gas.
The procedural vote took place on Tuesday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the U.S. Capitol. Lawmakers described the vote as a tribute to the bill's author, the late Senator Lindsey Graham, whose funeral was held the same day.
As voting continued, the measure had received support from 72 senators, while five voted against advancing the legislation. The vote allows the Senate to continue considering the bill but does not represent its final approval.
If passed into law, the legislation would impose additional sanctions on Russian officials and apply significant tariffs to countries including China and India, with the aim of reducing global dependence on Russian energy exports.
Supporters of the bill argue that increasing economic pressure on Russia could further limit its ability to finance its military operations while encouraging major energy buyers to seek alternative suppliers.
Zelenskiy met with U.S. senators during his visit to Washington as lawmakers debated the proposal. His visit came at a time of continued international efforts to strengthen support for Ukraine and increase pressure on Moscow.
The legislation must still complete the remaining stages of the legislative process before it can become law.
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