President Donald Trump has backed a bipartisan Senate proposal to ramp up pressure on Russia by targeting countries that keep buying Russian energy exports, according to Senator Lindsey Graham. The bill would authorize steep tariffs and other “secondary” measures aimed at trade partners such as India, China and Brazil, with supporters saying the goal is to squeeze revenue that helps fund Russia’s war in Ukraine. Graham said the Senate could vote as soon as mid-January/next week, though the bill has stalled before and the White House has not publicly confirmed details in the reporting cited.

Highlights:

• Scope of targets: The proposal is framed to cover buyers of Russia’s oil, gas, uranium and other exports, widening beyond crude to additional strategic commodities.
• Ambassador priority: U.S. Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor, expected to take charge in New Delhi on January 12, 2026, has described ending India’s Russian oil imports as a “top priority,” according to The Hindu.
• Flexibility request: Politico reports President Trump has previously asked for “absolute flexibility” to impose or retract sanctions, a key issue as lawmakers finalize the bill’s design.
• US uranium question: Firstpost highlights a potential complication for Washington: the U.S. also buys Russian uranium, raising questions about how broadly such tariff tools could be applied without hitting U.S. supply needs.
• Earlier tariff step: RT says President Trump has already imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods linked to New Delhi’s trade with Moscow, preceding the new, much larger tariff authority discussed in the bill.

After a very productive meeting today with President Trump on a variety of issues, he greenlit the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that I have been working on for months with Senator Blumenthal and many others, - Senator Lindsey Graham

Perspectives:

• Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): He argues added pressure is needed because Russia has not agreed to end the war, and he says the bill would be timed to push Moscow toward peace talks. (Politico)
• Supporters of secondary sanctions: Backers say penalizing third-country purchases of Russian energy is meant to cut the cash flow supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. (Al Jazeera)
• Russia (official stance as reported): Moscow has criticized Western restrictions as violating international law and undermining global economic stability, according to RT’s account of Russia’s position. (RT)
• U.S. diplomatic team for India (as reported): The Hindu reports the incoming U.S. ambassador-designate to India is prioritizing an end to India’s Russian oil imports, underscoring a tougher line in bilateral energy diplomacy. (The Hindu)

Sources:

• Bill Threatening 500% Tariff On India For Russia Oil Trade Gets Trump's Nod - ndtv.com
• Ahead of U.S. Ambassador arrival, Trump okays 500% tariff Bill on Russian oil; withdraws from India-led ISA - thehindu.com
• Russia sanctions bill: Will US sanction itself on Russian uranium? - firstpost.com
• Trump backs bill to sanction China, India over Russian oil, US senator says - aljazeera.com
• Trump has ‘greenlit’ Russia sanctions bill - Senator Lindsey Graham - rt.com
• Trump has ‘greenlit’ Russia sanctions bill, Lindsey Graham says - politico.com