US preparing new sanctions against buyers of Russian oil — Graham

Congress is pushing a new bill

A bill is being pushed in the US Congress that would allow sanctions to be imposed on countries that continue to buy Russian oil. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said this in an interview with NBC News.

According to the politician, American lawmakers are close to passing a document that would give President Donald Trump the opportunity to impose new economic restrictions on countries that support Russia through the purchase of cheap oil.

Sanctions may affect the “shadow fleet”

The bill also provides for the possibility of imposing sanctions on the so-called “shadow fleet” that Russia uses to circumvent international oil restrictions.

“We are pushing a bill that would allow President Trump to impose sanctions on the “shadow fleet” and countries that continue to support Russia through cheap oil purchases,” Graham said.

The US called the new mechanism a “powerful tool”

The senator stressed that the new sanctions mechanisms could become an additional tool for the US to exert economic and political pressure on Russia and its partners.

According to Graham, the document will give the US administration more opportunities to influence states that help Moscow retain revenues from energy exports.

Graham mentioned tariffs against India

The senator also recalled previous trade restrictions that Washington applied to India due to the purchase of Russian oil.

This is a 25 percent tariff, which, according to Graham, demonstrated the US willingness to put pressure on countries that help Russia circumvent sanctions. At the same time, these restrictions were canceled in early February.

The bill is still under consideration

Currently, the bill is under consideration in the US Congress. If it is approved, the presidential administration will receive broader powers to impose sanctions on the global energy market and countries that cooperate with Russia in the oil sector.