US House passes Graham-Blumenthal bill imposing tariffs on buyers of Russian oil

The US House of Representatives approved on September 16 a bill co-authored by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal that would impose punitive tariffs on countries continuing to purchase Russian energy resources. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for signature.

Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Ukraine's presidential envoy on sanctions policy, welcomed the vote, telling reporters the law could become an important part of comprehensive pressure on Russia. He noted that Russia still earns significant revenue from oil sales, partly through countries that continue buying its energy, and said the tariffs envisioned in the bill could be an effective tool to cut those revenues and raise the price of doing business with Moscow.

Iran also targeted

Vlasiuk also welcomed the fact that the sanctions extend to Iran, pointing to the long-standing military-industrial cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, including technology exchanges and shared supply channels. He noted that Iranian drones and weapons components have become part of the war against Ukraine.

He said Ukraine expects the sanctions to make Russian energy exports more expensive, more difficult and less profitable. This would not mean an immediate end to the war, he added, but would gradually reduce Russia's ability to sustain its current level of intensity on the battlefield.

The US Senate had already approved the bill on August 7 by a vote of 86 in favor. Ahead of the House vote, media reports suggested the bill faced growing resistance and could be blocked at least until the November congressional elections, making its passage seen as an encouraging development.