Washington (United States) (AFP) – US President Donald Trump has signed a bill authorizing new sanctions designed to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine, after Congress gave its approval following months of delay. Washington is pushing to revive a mediated path towards ending the conflict as Moscow intensifies attacks against Ukraine, even though much of its attention — and munitions — are focused on the ongoing war against Iran.
The legislation, which US lawmakers approved this week and Trump signed on Friday, takes aim at Russia’s energy and defense sectors, alongside President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials. It also targets Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade Western sanctions and allows Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. That could potentially cover China and India, and furthers efforts to cut off revenue financing Moscow’s war.
The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the package by a 262-159 vote on Wednesday. The bill would also target companies and foreign actors supporting Russia’s military and extend sanctions involving Iran. However, the broad powers to impose tariffs sparked an unusual split among Democrats, who largely support Ukraine but have resisted handing Trump wider authority over trade.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier hailed the legislation as “symbolic” and thanked US lawmakers. The bill is “an extremely powerful tool that can stop this terrorist war and bring Russia to the point where it has to make peace,” Zelensky wrote on X. “Sanctions must be strong so that all efforts for peace — including our joint diplomatic efforts with the United States, Europe, and our other friends — can succeed,” he added.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce reacted Saturday, saying it reserved the right “to take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard China’s national sovereignty and development interests, as well as the legitimate and just rights and interests of Chinese companies.” India said on Thursday it would continue buying oil “through diversified sourcing.” New Delhi — which counts Russia as one of its most important strategic partners — has navigated the energy crisis sparked by the US-Iran conflict in part by turning to Moscow, despite pressure from Western countries.
Supporters of the legislation argued that tougher economic pressure is needed against Moscow, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Congress vote was celebrated by pro-Ukraine activists, who pointed to continuing Russian attacks, including drone strikes on Wednesday on civilian transport in the south that officials in Kyiv said killed five people.
Trump has generally preferred to retain control over sanctions and tariffs rather than have Congress dictate policy, helping delay the measure for more than a year. The president’s signing of the bill comes a week before he is due to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Washington.
© 2024 AFP
