The Senate has overwhelmingly approved a Russian sanctions package to support Ukraine and pressure President Vladimir Putin. The bipartisan legislation, which passed 86-11, would penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas, and other exports, seeking to deprive Putin of revenues fueling the war.

Support for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol last week, meeting with senators from both parties and watching from the gallery as the Senate took the first procedural votes. The sanctions legislation is seen as a moral signal to Ukraine and its allies, demonstrating U.S. support for the country.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who worked with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on the package, said, “Today, President Zelenskyy is watching from Ukraine — and Putin is watching from Moscow… Today we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And today we say to Vladimir Putin: You will not conquer Ukraine.”

Sanctions and Tariffs

The legislation allows the president to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India. It provides exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are taking steps to reduce those imports.

The bill also includes sanctions on Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, Russian financial institutions, and Russian energy projects. It would expand U.S. sanctions to target older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia uses to circumvent existing U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.