The Trump administration has signaled its support for a draft bill aimed at imposing significant financial penalties on purchasers of Russian oil. According to sources, this move is intended to heighten economic pressure on Moscow in a strategic effort to bring the four-year war in Ukraine to an end. A Ukrainian official confirmed that Senator Lindsey Graham informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday that the White House is backing the initiative.
The bipartisan legislation seeks to authorize high tariffs on nations that continue to import Russian oil and natural gas, with India and China identified as the primary buyers. While the White House has not yet provided a formal response, senators involved in the effort suggest that the president has been influenced by recent Ukrainian battlefield successes and the persistent nature of Russian attacks.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, who is working on the bill alongside Graham, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and GOP Senator Roger Wicker, stated that they expect to roll out the legislation soon. Blumenthal noted that falling oil prices, following the cooling of tensions with Iran, have made the proposed tariffs more politically viable. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota had previously told the senators that he’d move the bill when they had the votes. The Senate returns to Washington on Monday.
In a joint statement, the senators emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that as Russia continues its aggression against civilians, it is essential for the executive and legislative branches to collaborate in creating tools to penalize those who fuel the Russian war machine. President Zelenskyy, who met with Graham in Kyiv on Friday, acknowledged the ongoing congressional efforts on the bill.
Beyond the tariff plan, Zelenskyy’s recent meetings with Mr. Trump at the NATO summit were described as highly productive. Blumenthal highlighted several key wins for Ukraine, including securing a license to produce Patriot interceptors and gaining approval for the purchase of Ukrainian drones for U.S. use, a request Zelenskyy had previously championed during a television appearance in May.
Updated on: July 10, 2026 / 6:36 PM EDT / CBS News
Both senators emphasized that Ukraine is turning the tide on the battlefield, and Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to be brought to the table. Graham indicated to CBS News that Putin's constant attacks are a factor in Mr. Trump's thinking, and the president has found Ukraine's recent success on the battlefield to be persuasive.
