US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India and others at risk of 100% tariffs

This sweeping sanctions legislation, authored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was passed on Tuesday in presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The US Senate has passed the Russia sanctions bill which puts India and four other countries at the risk of 100% tariffs. This sweeping sanctions legislation, authored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was passed on Tuesday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the Capitol.The sanctions bill comes at a time when India's dependence on Russian energy has gone up on account of the West Asia war. (In picture: PM Modi and US President Donald Trump) (PTI)The bill aims to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.The tally was 86 to 12 in favor on a procedural vote to advance the bill, which seeks to impose sanctions on Russian officials and authorise steep tariffs on India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan in order reduce their dependence on Russian energy.Introduced in April 2025, Graham earlier this year announced that the bill had been greenlit by President Donald Trump amid trade tensions between US and India.The sanctions bill comes at a time when India's dependence on Russian energy has gone up on account of the West Asia war which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Iran-US war has choked off Gulf crude supplies that previously accounted for roughly 40% of India’s oil imports, forcing refiners to turn to Russian crude as the main alternative source.Senator Richard Blumenthal had earlier stated that the bill would make an exception for countries purchasing Russian gas if their purchase is less than 15 per cent of Russia's total gas imports.This is a developing story. More details being updated.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read MoreUsIndia NewsUs SanctionRussiaGet the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.