Congress Approved Russian Sanctions—Now, the Fight for Ukraine Continues

After years of painstaking, sometimes painful negotiations and diligent drafting—involving colleagues on both sides of the aisle, congressional committees, outside experts, the U.S. Trade Representative, the White House, and others—I was elated and proud when the United States Congress passed the Russian Sanctions Bill. It was a historic triumph for democracy, both at home and abroad.

Signed by President Trump in September, the new law will hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, imposing primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting the war.

Now I will push Trump to impose and implement these new tools aggressively and promptly. They will choke the flow of revenue to Putin’s war machine and help bring him to the table for peace talks.

See more from my press conference after the House passed my Russian sanctions legislation here.

I first introduced this legislation in April 2025 with the late Senator Lindsey Graham—a strong-minded and fiercely driven supporter of Ukraine’s cause.

This idea for sanctions combined with tariffs was hatched on one of the overnight train rides to Ukraine—one of 11 separate visits I’ve made to that brave, fiercely proud nation. We were inspired by the unrelenting strength of the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russia’s savagery. Deeply moved by their courage and grit, we continued to develop our idea for sanctions legislation over the following years, encouraged by enthusiastic support from President Zelenskyy and his fellow leaders.

This bill has scorching sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, Russian banks and financial institutions, and energy companies. It has tariffs, limited and targeted, to the 5 major purchasers of Russian oil and gas. It cracks down on the Russian Shadow Fleet and includes other provisions that should have dramatic and pervasive effect.

This past August, I was in Kyiv’s Sophia Square as President Zelenskyy honored the families of heroes who gave their lives so that Ukraine could remain free and independent. I vowed then, as I have over the last few years, that our best tribute to the fallen defenders of Ukraine would be the passage of this legislation to help bring an end to Putin’s bloody invasion.

Every day, Ukraine remains under a barrage of missile and drone strikes that risk more death and destruction on the battlefield and in Ukraine’s cities. Time is of the essence to help bring an end to Putin’s hideous slaughter and prevent future bloodshed.

With this bill, we send a clear message.

To Vladimir Putin—we have your number. Your economy is reeling. We’re going to throttle your war machine.

To the major purchasers of Russian oil, fueling Putin’s war machine—you better clean up your act. Buy your oil and gas somewhere else.

To the American people—thank you for standing with Ukraine and recognizing that Ukraine’s fight is our fight. It isn’t just their freedom and independence, it’s ours. If Putin is not stopped, he will not end in Ukraine. He’ll go against Poland, Moldova, Estonia, Finland, Sweden—the list goes on, and eventually America could find our own sons and daughters called upon to fight.

This bill makes sure that our country’s strategic interests are protected. Our national interests are served by this bill—but it’s also our values and our vision as Americans. The Ukrainians are a scrappy, can-do, innovative, inventive, and endlessly brave people who really mirror our own fight for independence in their spirit. I think that we as Americans have natural sympathy for Ukraine’s fight against Putin’s murderous assault.

And finally, to the people of Ukraine—you are not alone. You face a hard, cold winter, continued bombing, and you are against, truly, a bloodthirsty thug who understands only force and strength.

Appeasement is not a strategy. That’s why this bill is so important. Putin is a cruel mob thug. This bill will show that force and strength and hopefully bring Putin to the table—but alone, it’s not enough. We are far from done. The momentum that we have as a result of this bill should enable us to fight for the military aid, the economic support, the political and moral bolstering that Ukraine needs and deserves.

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