President Donald Trump has signed into law a significant piece of legislation that expands sanctions against Russia, a bill that was strongly advocated for by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The White House confirmed the signing on Friday.

This legislative action comes as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues, now in its fifth year, with no clear end in sight and peace talks stalled. The bill, which passed both chambers of Congress with substantial bipartisan support, aims to increase economic pressure on Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to President Trump and the U.S. Congress for enacting the "critically important" legislation. In a statement shared via Telegram, Zelenskyy highlighted Senator Graham's consistent advocacy for maintaining pressure on Russia and strengthening sanctions.

Zelenskyy specifically addressed countries that continue to engage in commerce with Russia, particularly regarding oil and financial services, suggesting that such actions undermine efforts to end the conflict. He stated that fully implementing the new law would be the best way to honor Senator Graham's memory and that peace is the ultimate reward for collective efforts to pressure Russia.

The new law authorizes both primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and any nations that support its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. It also extends existing sanctions on Iran. The White House indicated the legislation targets Russian political figures, oligarchs, financial institutions, and the so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers used to circumvent sanctions.

While the bill empowers the president to impose tariffs, it limits their application to the top five importers of Russian crude oil or gas and the five leading countries that assist Russia in evading energy sanctions.

Senator Graham, who passed away unexpectedly in September 2026 following an aortic tear, was a vocal proponent of robust U.S. support for Ukraine and stringent measures against President Vladimir Putin's administration. Russia's state financial monitoring agency had previously added Graham to its list of alleged terrorists and extremists in 2024.

The legislation's passage underscores a continued commitment from the United States to support Ukraine's sovereignty and security, even as the conflict enters a protracted phase with significant global implications for energy markets and international relations.