KABUL (Pajhwok): The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill to tighten sanctions on Russia, a measure aimed at strengthening support for Ukraine and increasing pressure on Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a media report said on Saturday.
The Associated Press reported that the bill was approved on Friday by a vote of 86-11.
The bill is the result of nearly a year of efforts by former Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to strengthen US support for Ukraine and increase economic pressure on Russia.
According to the report, the legislation would allow the US president to impose tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas and other exports.
China and India, among the largest buyers of Russian energy, could be affected by the measure.
The bill also includes sanctions targeting Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects in Russia, the report said.
It would also target old and renamed oil tankers used by Russia to circumvent existing sanctions.
However, the legislation would allow the US president to waive some sanctions if he certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.
The AP quoted Senator Richard Blumenthal, who worked with Graham on the bill, as saying after its passage that the measure sends a message to Ukraine that it is “not alone” and warns Putin that he cannot conquer Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also welcomed the Senate’s approval of the sanctions package and thanked US senators.
The legislation was approved as the Russia-Ukraine war entered its fourth year, while efforts to increase economic pressure on Moscow continued.
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