Trump signs bill authorizing sweeping Russia sanctions - National Post

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a bill authorizing new sanctions designed to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images; Alexander Kazakov/Pool/AFP via Getty ImagesArticle contentU.S. President Donald Trump has signed a bill authorizing new sanctions designed to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine, after Congress gave its approval following months of delay.

Washington is pushing to revive a mediated path towards ending the conflict as Moscow intensifies attacks against Ukraine, even though much of its attention — and munitions — are focused on the ongoing war against Iran.

The legislation, which U.S. lawmakers approved this week and Trump signed on Friday, takes aim at Russia’s energy and defense sectors, alongside President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials.

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It also targets Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade Western sanctions, and allows Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

That could potentially cover China and India, and furthers efforts to cut off revenue financing Moscow’s war.

The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the package by a 262-159 vote on Wednesday.

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

But the broad powers to impose tariffs sparked an unusual split among Democrats, who largely support Ukraine but have resisted handing Trump wider authority over trade.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier hailed the legislation as “symbolic” and thanked U.S. lawmakers.

The bill is “an extremely powerful tool that can stop this terrorist war and bring Russia to the point where it has to make peace,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

“Sanctions must be strong so that all efforts for peace — including our joint diplomatic efforts with the United States, Europe, and our other friends — can succeed,” he added. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce reacted Saturday, saying it reserved the right “to take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard China’s national sovereignty and development interests, as well as the legitimate and just rights and interests of Chinese companies.”