US Congress passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill

The United States Congress has approved a comprehensive set of sanctions targeting Russia in response to its ongoing military aggression in Ukraine, sending the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved the legislation by a vote of 262-159, following its passage through the Senate with an 86-11 margin.

The package, which has been in the works for months, imposes stringent economic penalties on Russia's energy and defense sectors, as well as senior officials, including President Vladimir Putin. It also grants Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major foreign buyers of Russian oil and gas, potentially including China and India.

While Democrats generally support the bill to aid Ukraine, they have expressed concerns over Trump's expanded authority over trade. The legislation is expected to significantly impact Russia's revenue streams, ultimately aiming to pressure Moscow into negotiating a peace settlement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been advocating for stronger sanctions, noting the ongoing Russian military losses and the lack of a peace agreement.