US Congress passes sweeping Russia sanctions Bill

PRESSURE ON PUTIN

Dozens of Democrats nevertheless backed the measure, offsetting opposition from a handful of Republicans who objected to sanctions on free-market or non-interventionist grounds.

Supporters argue that tougher economic pressure is needed, with Russia’s full-scale invasion grinding through its fifth year and no peace settlement in sight.

The House vote was celebrated by pro-Ukraine activists, who pointed to Russian attacks continuing, including drone strikes Wednesday on civilian transport in the south that officials in Kyiv said killed five people.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had urged Congress to pass the sanctions package, saying greater pressure was needed to force Moscow toward negotiations.

“So now Putin is losing 30,000 his soldiers per month … it’s many losses, but he doesn’t want to stop this war,” Zelenskyy said during a July trip to Washington that included a meeting with Trump.

“So now initiative (is) not in the hands of Putin.”

The Bill would also target companies and foreign actors supporting Russia’s military and extend sanctions involving Iran.

Trump has generally preferred to retain control over sanctions and tariffs rather than have Congress dictate policy, helping delay the measure for more than a year.

Its sponsor, Republican senator Lindsey Graham – who died suddenly in July – had pushed the legislation since April 2025.

Wednesday’s vote came just before House lawmakers were due to leave Washington to campaign ahead of November’s midterm elections.

“Once the Bill is quickly signed and becomes law, we hope for strong US enforcement to finally end the cash flows to the Kremlin’s war chest,” said Svitlana Romanko, executive director of Ukrainian energy lobby group Razom We Stand.

“Every day of delay is a day we in Ukraine must bury more people.”