Trump Signed a Big New Russia Law: What It Does
President Donald Trump signed a big new law that punishes Russia over the war in Ukraine. The signing was reported on September 19, 2026. Al Jazeera
The White House says he signed a bill called H.R. 5334 on Friday, September 18, 2026. White House Its full name is the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. It is named for a Republican senator who worked on the bill for more than a year before he died suddenly in July. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal helped write it.
The law uses sanctions, which are punishments that block money and business. Think of it like freezing bank cards and cutting off store access. It targets President Vladimir Putin, top officials and oligarchs, or rich businessmen with political power. It also targets Russian banks, the energy and defence sectors, and the shadow fleet of tankers that carry Russian oil in secret. It lets Trump add tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas. A tariff is like an extra charge at checkout for goods coming into the country. Separately, the law extends sanctions on Iran's energy and weapons sectors.
Congress records show earlier bills that led to this law. S.1241 in the 119th Congress (2025-2026) is called the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. S.5025 is called the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026. Its stated purpose is to impose sanctions and other measures on Russia. H.R.2913 is called the Ukraine Support Act. The Russia sanctions bill aims to cut off money Russia uses to pay for its war on Ukraine. As of September 2026, that war had lasted nearly five years. Reuters
The bill passed the Senate last month. It cleared the House on Wednesday before September 19, with 58 Democrats voting in support. The House vote was 262-159. AP The vote was bipartisan. The margin was clear but not unanimous.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the law "an extremely powerful tool." Blumenthal said, "To Vladimir Putin - we have your number" and "to Ukraine - you are not alone." The Kremlin said more U.S. sanctions would make it harder to reach a peace deal in Ukraine. Reuters
The broader context here is pressure and timing. The signing came about a week before Trump was due to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House. The tariff power is optional. It allows tariffs up to 100 percent. It does not require them. That leaves the choice in Washington while putting pressure on other buyers.
Looking at what this means in practice, the law covers many parts at once. It reaches leaders, money channels, energy production and transport. Banks control payments. Energy brings in money. Tankers deliver the oil. Tariffs affect buyers. For experts, the question is how these parts work together, plus exceptions, permits and enforcement, not just one single punishment.
In my view, how the law was put together also matters. It pairs Russia measures with Iran energy and weapons sanctions. It carries Graham's name. It moved forward with Democratic help and Democratic House votes. That widens support. It makes a fast reversal harder. It also links two areas in one law. Moscow sees that as an obstacle to a deal. Kyiv sees it as a promise of support. Both views can be true at once, since pressure aims to change deal-making, not to end talks.
