Trump signs Lindsey Graham sanctions bill targeting Russia into law
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed into law a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia, including its major banks and shadow fleet, while allowing tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that continue buying Russian oil or gas.
The White House announced on Sept. 18 that Trump had signed H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.
The law requires the president to impose new sanctions and restrictions targeting Russian officials, state-linked entities and financial institutions, as well as people and companies supporting Russia's defense industry or helping Moscow evade existing sanctions.
Banks, shadow fleet and tariffs
Within 30 days, the president must impose sanctions on major Russian banks, including Sberbank, VTB and Gazprombank. The legislation also targets foreign financial institutions conducting significant transactions with sanctioned Russian banks, although it allows an exception if the Treasury Department determines that sanctions would run counter to U.S. economic or foreign policy interests.
The law also targets Russia's so-called shadow fleet used to transport oil and other commodities while circumventing sanctions. Measures can apply to vessels, their owners and operators, insurers and senior crew members, as well as ports that service sanctioned ships.
It also requires tariffs of up to 500% on goods imported directly from Russia.
Separately, the legislation provides for tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that continue purchasing Russian crude oil or natural gas. The provision applies to countries among the five largest importers of Russian oil or gas, as well as countries identified as major facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion.
The legislation allows the president to waive sanctions or tariffs if doing so is deemed to be in the U.S. national interest, subject to reporting requirements to Congress.
The law also extends existing U.S. sanctions against Iran through 2031.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump and U.S. lawmakers who backed the legislation.
“The best way to honor Lindsey’s memory will be the full and swift implementation of the provisions of this law,” Zelenskyy said.
From 2025 bill to law
Graham and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal first introduced the sanctions legislation in April 2025. The proposal gained broad bipartisan backing in the Senate but was held up amid the Trump administration's negotiations with Russia.
An updated version was introduced after Graham's death in July 2026.
The law is named after the late Republican senator and is set to remain in effect for five years.
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