US President Donald Trump has approved a bill imposing strict sanctions on Russia. According to the Economic Times, the bill includes provisions to impose tariffs of up to 500% on countries buying oil from Russia, especially India, China, and Brazil. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated that he spoke with the President at the White House on Wednesday, during which Trump gave the green light for the bill to be introduced in Congress. The bill has been in preparation for several months and could be brought for a vote in Parliament next week. The bill is named the “Sanctioning Russia Act 2025”. Its aim is to pressure countries that are buying cheap crude oil from Russia amid the Ukraine war. The US alleges that this is helping Russia continue the war. What is the sanctioning Russia Act (SRA) 2025? The Act targets Russia’s energy, banking, and defence sectors. It proposes strict restrictions on Russian oil and gas companies, major banks, the defence industry, and their associated global networks. It also includes provisions for secondary sanctions on third countries, companies, or banks that are found helping Russia evade these restrictions. In simple terms, any country doing business with Russia through indirect means could also face US action. The bill also outlines a legal path to use frozen Russian assets in the US and allied countries for Ukraine’s reconstruction, helping compensate for the damages caused by the war. Why was the SRA Act introduced? The Act aims to convert the executive orders on Russia by Trump into law. This means future US presidents cannot unilaterally remove or reduce these sanctions. Any relief or exemptions would require Congressional approval. The bill also gives the President special waiver powers, providing Donald Trump with more leverage to pressure Russia. Bipartisan support in the Senate This anti-Russia bill is bipartisan. It was introduced jointly by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal. According to Senator Graham, the bill currently has 85 co-sponsors, meaning over 80% of the Senate supports it. Current tariffs and India’s concerns The US has already imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports of Russian oil. If the new bill passes, the tariff burden on India could increase, potentially affecting exports and trade relations with the US. India has requested that the total tariff be reduced to 15%, and that the extra 25% penalty on Russian crude imports be removed entirely. Trade discussions between the two countries are ongoing and expected to reach a decision in the new year. Also Read| ‘Good relationship with Modi, but he’s unhappy because of tariffs’ Diplomatic efforts Republican Senator Lindsay Graham confirmed that he spoke with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday, where Trump approved the bill for introduction in Parliament. Graham also noted that he had met with Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra in December, conveying India’s request for tariff relief. India reduces Russian oil imports India has reduced its crude oil imports from Russia for the first time since 2021. According to Reuters, imports fell from 17.7 lakh barrels per day (bpd) in November to around 12 lakh bpd in December and may drop below 10 lakh bpd in the coming months. This decline follows US sanctions imposed on Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil since November 2025. Also Read| Trump boasts about India’s reduced oil imports from Russia Post navigation Silver prices fall ₹12,000 to ₹2,35,775/kg; gold slips by ₹1,232:Rates decline sharply amid profit booking Vedanta chairman’s son Agnivesh dies at 49 in US:Anil Agarwal writes on X, ‘He was my world’; businessman’s journey from Patna to becoming India’s ‘Metal King’
