New US sanctions bill aims to squeeze Russia and its trading partners, Zelenskyy's office says
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The updated version of the Sanctioning Russia Act 2026 demonstrates the evolution of US sanctions policy. It marks a shift from a model of political signaling to one of systematic economic pressure on Russia, says Ukrainian President Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, in an exclusive comment to RBC-Ukraine.
Bone-crushing sanctions to combine individual and sectoral restrictions
"Individual restrictions target not only Russia's top political and military leadership, but also individuals involved in sanctions evasion, human rights violations, money laundering, destabilizing Ukraine, as well as shareholders of Russian LNG projects, vessels in the shadow fleet, and persons associated with them. These are traditional but effective tools - asset freezes and visa restrictions," Vlasiuk emphasized.
He also noted that the sectoral sanctions are aimed at the main sources of funding for the Russian economy. These include the financial sector, including the Central Bank of Russia, Sberbank, VTB, Gazprombank, and other state-owned financial institutions.
The enemy's energy sector was not overlooked either, as the bill includes a ban on US investment in Russia's energy industry.
"In August last year, there were discussions about the possible return of the American company Exxon Mobil to the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project in Russia, and this ban would make that scenario impossible," Vlasiuk explained.
Moreover, exports of US energy resources and energy products to Russia would be restricted. The bill also proposes banning imports of Russian uranium and expanding sanctions against the Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG projects, as well as their executives and key shareholders.
Another key provision is tougher enforcement against sanctions evasion. The goal is to dismantle the mechanisms the Kremlin uses to adapt to existing restrictions.
As Vlasiuk explained, without shutting down these channels, even the toughest sanctions gradually lose their effectiveness.
Secondary sanctions could significantly weaken Russia
"At the same time, the bill increases economic pressure not only on Russia but also on its trading partners. Secondary measures could become its most powerful tool, as they provide for additional tariffs on countries that continue importing Russian energy resources or help circumvent sanctions," Zelenskyy's sanctions commissioner stressed.
Vlasiuk pointed out that the new compromise version sets the maximum tariff rate at 100%, instead of the previously proposed 500%.
Despite this change, the overall logic of the bill remains the same - to raise the economic cost of cooperation with Russia for third countries to the point where such cooperation becomes unprofitable.
"This is one of the strongest tools of pressure on countries financing Russia's wartime economy," Vlasiuk noted.
According to him, the bill is important not only because of the specific sanctions it contains, but also because of its comprehensive approach, which is designed to increase the cost of Russia's aggression systematically.
Moreover, it serves as an important benchmark for Ukraine's other allies. Only coordinated and decisive sanctions pressure can limit Russia's ability to finance the war and circumvent existing restrictions.
"Work on this bill is still ongoing, and it must still go through the final approval process. Therefore, conclusions should be drawn after it is adopted," Vlasiuk concluded.
Earlier, new details emerged about Senator Lindsey Graham's bill targeting Russia.
We also reported on who could be affected by the future US sanctions.
President Donald Trump recently assessed the likelihood of the adoption of the sanctions against the aggressor state.
