• Source:JND
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As the Russia-Ukraine war crossed more than three years, with Russian President Vladimir Putin waging unprecedented attacks, his American counterpart, Donald Trump, has planned to penalise him for what he called a "brutal conflict". According to a report by ABC News, US President Donald Trump has given the nod to a Senate bill that could impose 500 per cent tariffs on countries like China and India. The bill called the countries which are still trading crude oil from Russia-- "supporters of the war machine".

Lindsey Graham reveals Trump's support for Russia sanctions bill

In an interview with ABC News, US Senator Lindsey Graham disclosed that President Trump has agreed to bring a tough new sanctions bill on Russia to a vote. Graham, who is sponsoring the bill, called this development a "big breakthrough" that could pressure Putin to negotiate on Ukraine.

The bill proposes a 500% tariff on products from countries buying Russian goods without supporting Ukraine, targeting nations like India and China that purchase a significant portion of Russia's oil. Graham emphasised that Trump retains the authority to waive the sanctions or veto the bill if it passes Congress. With 84 co-sponsors backing the bill, Graham expressed confidence in its passage, describing it as an "economic bunker buster" against Russia, China, and India.

Graham, however, stressed that Trump had a waiver and could decide whether or not to sign it into law if and when it passes Congress.

How Russia became India's "favorite" destination for oil purchase 

It is worth mentioning that India was not on the list of the top oil trade partners of Russia before the conflict. Conventionally, India had used Middle East countries for its oil market purchases. However, following the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent sanctions on Moscow, Putin offered massive discounts on oil. Since then, India has moved its reliance from the Middle East nations to Russia. Currently, data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air claims India was the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in May 2025.

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It is estimated that India purchased fossil fuels worth €4.2 billion from Russia in May, with crude oil amounting to 72 per cent of the total. Several times, the US and Europe pointed out India's oil trade surge with Russia. India, in return, said it prioritises its national interest. However, if Trump invoked a 500 per cent tariff on Russian oil, it would force New Delhi to look for alternatives. It is also highly possible India would return back to its conventional destination for oil purchase.

When India exposed hypocrisy in Russian energy purchases

Ironically, the bill did not mention Europe's energy trade with Russia despite the fact that it continues to import gas from Moscow, with its own sanctions in place. The hypocrisy was also exposed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the GLOBSEC 2022 Bratislava Forum on 3 June, 2022. He also questioned the US’ decision not to lift the sanctions on Iranian and Venezuelan oil.

ALSO READ: 'India Did Entire World Favour By Buying Russian Oil': Hardeep Puri 

“Today, Europe is buying [Russian] oil, Europe is buying [Russian] gas…. The new package of sanctions (European sanctions on Russia) is designed in a way that consideration has been given to the welfare of its population…. People need to understand that if you can be considerate to yourself, surely you can be considerate to others,” Jaishankar said at the GlobSec event. “Is buying Russian gas not funding the war?” he asked. “It’s only Indian money and oil coming to India that funds it, but not the gas coming to Europe? Let’s be a little even-handed out here.”

Kremlin responds to US sanctions plans

The Kremlin said on Monday that it had taken note of comments made by Graham who is sponsoring a tough new sanctions bill on Russia and that its backers should consider its impact on efforts to reach a peace deal on Ukraine. Asked about Graham's comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia was aware of the US senator's stance and had taken note of his statement. "The senator's views are well known to us, they are well known to the whole world. He belongs to a group of inveterate Russophobes. If it were up to him, these sanctions would have been imposed long ago," said Peskov.

(With inputs from agency)