Opponents of Sanctioning Russia Act risk hampering Kyiv’s war effort against Putin, say Republicans
Some fear allowing Donald Trump to use tariffs to hobble Russia’s economy further would act as a ‘Trojan horse’ Credit: AP
Published 27 July 2026
Democrats risk undermining American support for Ukraine by objecting to proposed sanctions on countries that buy oil from Russia, it has been claimed.
The Trump administration wants to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the five countries that import the largest volumes of oil from Russia. The countries are not named, but based on current figures, would include China, Turkey and India.
Doing so could limit a key source of revenue for the Kremlin during its ongoing conflict with Kyiv. However, senior Democrats, including potential 2028 presidential candidates, have argued that the measure would also act as a “Trojan horse”, giving Donald Trump a new way to impose tariffs.
They claim the president has already “shown himself to abuse tariff authority”, and allowing the sanctions scheme would hand the president a “blank cheque to continue his chaotic tariff agenda”.
The dispute threatens legislation proposed by Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina senator, who said before his death on July 11 that the sanctions would maintain economic pressure on Moscow.
The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 – which in its original form proposed 500 per cent tariffs on buyers of Russian oil – could be voted on in the Senate as early as next week, provided it has support from every senator.
While there is bipartisan support in principle, Democrats are opposed to any proposal that links sanctions and tariffs. They fear it could establish a precedent under which the White House would be able to impose levies in the future.
Cory Booker, a New Jersey senator and potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, is among those against the proposal.
Democrat Cory Booker, a potential presidential candidate, accused Mr Trump of being reckless and damaging the US economy Credit: AP
He said: “Trump has shown himself to abuse tariff authority in a really reckless way that’s causing harm to our economy. I know that we’ve been working to narrow that, so that’s what I’m going to be looking at.
“Especially with Ukraine’s increasing reach [in Russia], it’s really time to do everything we can to support them. But the details are really important to me.”
Senator Raphael Warnock, of Georgia, another potential 2028 Democratic candidate, said giving the president additional tariff powers would be “deeply concerning”.
Some Democrats in the House were opposed to the proposal as well, with Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House foreign affairs committee, saying it was a “Trojan horse for tariff authorities he [Trump] has repeatedly abused”.
Instead, Mr Meeks urged the Senate to pass the Ukraine Support Act, which passed the House on June 18. It gives Ukraine $1bn (£750m) in security and reconstruction aid and another $8bn (£6bn) for defence via loans.
Senator Katie Britt, a Republican from Alaska, criticised the Democrats, saying: “Do they hate Trump more than they actually want to help Ukraine? There’s been a number of people that have stepped up on the Democratic side to say, ‘This is the right thing to do. Now is the time to do it’. And I believe at the end of the day that others will follow their lead.”
Jerry Moran, the Republican senator for Kansas, described the arguments over sanctions as “sad”.
In February, the US supreme court struck down most of Mr Trump’s tariffs as unlawful. However, on Friday, the Trump administration imposed new 10 to 12.5 per cent tariffs on dozens of countries.
They were brought in on the basis that the countries were not doing enough to prevent forced labour, in a move designed to prevent a repeat of the supreme court ruling.
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Comment from :
News Hound
Amend the bill to limit its scope and put a sunset clause in so that congress has the means to check it isn’t being abused and has to re-approve it every 6 months.
J Finnemore
‘This is the right thing to do. Now is the time to do it’
As opposed to blaming Ukraine for starting the war, as Mr. Trump did repeatedly?
The Republicans don’t have a track record to be proud of on Ukraine, so quit the hypocrisy and get on with genuinely helping Kyiv.
Bill Litviak
If Trump supports something the democrats are all against it. They don’t know how to lead anymore. They just follow Trump around and do the complete opposite.
David R Crawford
Reply to Bill Litviak
Considering the benchmark in your post is the proven massive liar and grifter Donald J Trump then doing the opposite to him makes sense.
Mohnen Al-Aboutrump
Reply to David R Crawford
That’s the bizarre logic TDS brings. Here, the GOP want to support Ukraine, and the Democratic Party doesn’t want to. You still side with them even though you love Ukraine.
Irrational.
David R Crawford
Reply to Mohnen Al-Aboutrump
TDS is a 100% fake mental health ‘ailment’ spewed by Trump Devotees.
George Morton
The fascists are in UKraine. They even managed to enrage Poland recently with the re-burial of someone co-responsible for murdering tens of thousands of Poles.
Trevor Smallwood
Reply to George Morton – view message
After these last nearly 5 years I reckon Russia has seriously undermined any clout they may have had. I don’t think Iran is going to drink political poison at Moscow’s behest.
I think many Americans will recognise Russian complicity in Iranian attacks and they will wonder why Trump is letting that pass.
I also think domestic politics have Trump by the throat and someone/s in his administration will be laying out options to try and save their collective bacon.
Finally I think it’s delusional of the Russian leadership to imagine a fairy godmother is going to turn up and make all their wishes come true. Russia is not a great power. They prove that daily.
GRAHAM REEVE
*Sigh* …alright MAGA… I’ll give you this one… Seems the Democrats are indeed more interested in bringing down Trump than doing the right thing.
Trevor Smallwood
Reply to GRAHAM REEVE
Not binary GR but polarity politics?
But yes, Ukraine’s interests need to be defended.
Vicki Lester
From topic, wrong time – to stop Tariffs that would further financially cripple Russia in its aggression against Ukraine.
Caroline Hayne
This bill will not pass, largely due to Lindsey Graham’s death. Trump was opposed to supporting any legislation aiding Ukraine because he prefers Putin to succeed. His ambiguous relationship with Putin sometimes makes him seem like his most valuable ally. While I am not a conspiracy theorist, it is noteworthy that Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine, died suddenly the day after returning from Ukraine. Russia’s influence is widespread and pervasive. Since day one, Trump has merely obstructed efforts to support Ukraine. He could have done more, and perhaps that might have earned him the Peace Prize.