Trump Signed a New Law About Russia — Here's What It Does
President Donald Trump signed a new law on Russia sanctions in September 2026. Al Jazeera
The White House said he signed it on September 18, 2026. It listed "Congressional Bill H.R. 5334 Signed into Law" on its Briefings and Statements page. White House
The full name is the "Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026." It was pushed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). New York Post The House passed it on September 16, 2026, and sent it to Trump. Reuters
The law targets countries that buy Russian energy. It allows extra taxes of up to 100 percent on big buyers of Russian oil, including China and India. Al Jazeera Think of a tariff like a penalty fee that makes foreign goods cost more. The text directs Trump to place those taxes on the top five buyers of Russian oil or natural gas. AP
The goal is to cut off money for Moscow in the Ukraine war. Sanctions are punishments that limit trade and money. AP The law also tells the U.S. government to carry out Russia sanctions that are already in place. The New York Times
Moscow spoke out against the law. Russia warned it would hurt Trump's peace efforts. The New York Times Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said "sanctions often inflict greater harm on those who impose them than on Russia." Russian Foreign Ministry
Russian officials say the West has placed almost 19,000 sanction measures on Russia. They call it the world's most sanctioned country. Russian Embassy Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected a ceasefire, which means an agreement to stop fighting. He called a ceasefire "a road leading nowhere" and asked for "binding legal agreements laying out conditions for ensuring Russia's security." Russian Foreign Ministry
The broader context here is pressure versus talks. The law punishes Russia but also its buyers. Now the White House must decide on taxes, enforce old sanctions, and handle anger from other countries at once.
Looking ahead, much depends on timing and response. The orders on taxes and enforcement are written as requirements. Russia says more pressure hurts peace talks. How Trump times action against big buyers, and how Moscow answers, will shape if the law mainly cuts money or becomes a tool for talks.
