It grants the right to impose duties against the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas.
A White House official confirmed that US President Donald Trump plans to sign a bill on sanctions against Russia. The document, approved by the House of Representatives by 262 votes to 159, gives Trump the right to impose duties of up to 100% against countries that buy Russian oil and gas, writes RBC-Ukraine.
It also extends sanctions against Iran until 2031.
According to Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, among the five largest importers of Russian fossil fuels, China alone accounts for 51% of Moscow's revenue from such exports.
Congressman Michael McCaul, who initiated the bill, emphasized that the approval of the document ahead of the winter months is important, as it puts pressure on Putin and his allies before Russia can begin striking civilian infrastructure — facilities related to access to light and water.
"This will hit them where it really hurts and give the necessary leverage to bring Putin to the negotiating table. It also puts pressure on China to force Putin to the table because they will also suffer from these duties," McCaul stated.
At the same time, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks, expressed doubt that the law would achieve its goal.
"It grants President Trump broad new tariff powers and allows him to waive the very sanctions he is supposedly imposing — sanctions he could have imposed today but has not done so for the past 19 months," Meeks stated.
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