US senators agree on bill to expand sanctions against Russia and Iran

A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators has reached an agreement on a long-awaited bill designed to tighten sanctions on Russia and Iran. The proposed legislation grants President Donald Trump the authority to implement further restrictions targeting key purchasers of Russian energy resources and expands existing sanctions against Iran.

The procedural vote on the sanctions bill is scheduled for late Tuesday evening. President Trump has expressed his support for the legislation, which was drafted by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The bill specifically aims to extend sanctions against Iran and focus on Russia's oil and gas exports. It would enable the president to impose tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, as well as on five countries assisting Russia in circumventing energy sanctions.

According to a Bloomberg report, Senator Graham and other strong supporters of Ukraine have advocated for these measures for an extended period. However, the implementation of such sanctions could further strain the already fragile trade relations between the United States and China and India, both significant importers of Russian energy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Republican and Democratic senators on Capitol Hill on Tuesday evening. Among those he is scheduled to meet are the co-authors of Senator Graham's sanctions bill targeting Russia and Iran. The meeting underscores the ongoing international efforts to pressure Russia and Iran through economic measures.