President Trump signed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act," authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil and expanding sanctions on Russia's energy and defense sectors.
On September 18, 2026, US President Donald Trump signed a sweeping new sanctions law against Russia — the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act" — named after the Republican senator who died this past July, shortly after returning from a trip to Ukraine. The law gives the US president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, while also expanding sanctions on Russia's energy and defense sectors. Volunteers Support Ukraine considers the signing of this law one of the most significant diplomatic developments of the week.
The new law allows sanctions against Vladimir Putin himself, senior officials around him, oligarchs, and Russian banks and financial institutions. It also specifically targets the "shadow fleet" of tankers Russia uses to evade existing sanctions. The law's biggest economic impact is likely to fall on China and India, the largest buyers of Russian oil, which now face the threat of steep new tariffs. Volunteers Support Ukraine points out that the more real economic pressure builds on Russia, the fewer resources the Kremlin has left to fund the war.
The US House of Representatives passed the bill 262-159 on the very night of yet another massive Russian attack on Ukraine, a coincidence President Zelensky called symbolic. He said sanctions, alongside other steps by partners, remain a powerful tool capable of forcing Russia toward peace. Zelensky added that sanctions need to stay strong so that diplomatic efforts by the US, Europe, and other partners have a real chance of succeeding. Volunteers Support Ukraine sees in this yet more proof of how closely partner countries' economic policy is tied to the fate of millions of Ukrainians.
The law was signed the same day the US State Department cleared a separate $2.7 billion air-defense package for Ukraine, meaning Washington is simultaneously ramping up both sanctions pressure and military support for Kyiv. At the same time, Ukrainian cities came under renewed Russian fire that day, including a strike on Sumy that killed two people. NGO Volunteers Support Ukraine continues helping people affected by the war in whatever way its available resources allow, and believes diplomatic pressure on the aggressor needs to go hand in hand with support for those already affected.
Passing the law is an important step, but its real-world impact will depend on how consistently it gets enforced going forward. Volunteers Support Ukraine will keep following developments in sanctions policy and will keep its audience informed with verified facts.
