Trump signs law on "sanctions from hell" against Russia

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a law on new sanctions against Russia (or "sanctions from hell," as the American press calls them), according to the White House website.

The full name of the initiative is: "The Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026," which authorizes and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions with respect to Russia, and also extends existing sanctions against Iran.

Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Trump for "signing this extremely important law." "When Lindsey Graham was here in Ukraine, he always spoke about how important it is not to ease the pressure on Russia, to strengthen sanctions, and to seek a path to peace. Including in those capitals where decisions are made about buying Russian oil, providing financial services to Russia, and bringing Russian companies connected to Putin and the war into ordinary business relations in other countries," he wrote.

The sanctions law was initiated by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July 2026. The law gives the U.S. president the right to impose 100 percent tariffs against the five largest buyers of Russian energy resources. In addition, it provides for sanctions against Russian defense, energy, and financial organizations, Russia's shadow fleet, as well as against virtually the entire Russian political and military leadership.

During the discussion of these sanctions in the House of Representatives, a significant number of Democrats spoke out against them — they feared that Trump would use the bill as yet another legal justification for new import tariffs. Objections also came from representatives of big business, who believed that the bill "could have unintended consequences for consumers." Nevertheless, on September 17 the bill was approved.

Source: Meduza