The Senate took its first procedural step toward new Russia sanctions after meeting with Zelenskyy.
Why it matters: The bill could sharpen U.S. pressure on Russia by targeting energy buyers, financial institutions and tankers. It also signals bipartisan movement on Ukraine policy as the war grinds on.
- The Senate voted 86-12 on July 28, 2026, to advance the sanctions bill.
- Zelenskyy met senators in the Capitol, then watched the vote from the Senate gallery.
- The legislation would target countries buying Russian oil, gas and other exports, and could authorize tariffs on the top five purchasers.
- The package also would sanction Putin, senior Russian leaders, financial institutions, energy projects and older reflagged tankers.
The Senate on July 28 took its first procedural step toward a sweeping Russian sanctions bill, moving it forward in an 86-12 vote after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Capitol. AP reported that Zelenskyy met senators before the vote and later watched from the Senate gallery.
Zelenskyy called the measure an important moral signal and later said the vote was "the first step" toward implementing Lindsey Graham's plan. He also met President Donald Trump earlier in the day and discussed ways the U.S. could help Ukraine in the war with Russia. AP
The bill would penalize countries that keep buying Russian oil, gas and other exports. It would also allow the president to impose tariffs on the world's top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, with China and India at the top of that list. AP
Beyond the tariff authority, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, Russian financial institutions, Russian energy projects and older reflagged oil tankers used to evade existing sanctions. Senate Democrats said bipartisan senators agreed to move forward with the Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting its war in Ukraine.
Supporters said the package had been negotiated for more than a year and that Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal announced a deal with the White House on July 10, 2026. Reuters had reported that senators were expected to begin voting during Zelenskyy's visit. Reuters via ThePrint
By the numbers
- 86-12 - Senate procedural vote to advance the sanctions bill
- Top five - countries buying Russian oil or natural gas that could face tariff authority
- More than a year - length of negotiations on the sanctions package
Yes, but: The 86-12 vote was only procedural. The dossier does not detail the final floor path, amendment schedule or ultimate passage prospects.
What's next: The bill still has to move through the rest of the Senate process, including possible amendments and a final vote.