European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the U.S. Senate’s passage of a bill imposing sanctions on Russia, emphasizing the need to increase pressure on the sources of funding for Russian aggression.
"Coming on the back of the EU’s 21st package, I welcome the US Senate’s adoption of the Graham Bill. It honours a fierce believer in the power of coordinated sanctions to weaken Russia’s war machine," von der Leyen said on X social media platform.
According to her, sanctions must target all sources of revenue that allow the Kremlin to continue its aggression.
"From Russian oligarchs to energy exports and the shadow fleet, every source of revenue that fuels the Kremlin’s aggression must be targeted – from all sides," the European Commission President said.
Von der Leyen said joint action by the United States and the EU could deprive Russia of the resources needed to wage war: "Together, let us drain Russia’s means to continue a war it cannot win."
The President of the European Commission also said that through tough and complementary sanctions, Europe and the United States can demonstrate the potential for cooperation between historic partners.
"Through tough, complementary sanctions, Europe and the United States can once again demonstrate what historic partners can achieve when they act together," von der Leyen said.
As reported, on Friday, the U.S. Senate approved by a majority vote a sweeping sanctions bill against Russia, drafted based on initiatives by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
"By a vote of 86-11, the Senate passed H.R. 5334, the legislative vehicle for the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 (60-vote threshold)," the presiding officer said.
The bill is intended to increase economic pressure on Russia, which has been waging a full-scale war against Ukraine for the fifth year, and to grant the U.S. president new powers to impose tariffs on buyers of Russian energy resources. According to the document, the tariffs would be up to 100% on goods from countries that remain the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas or facilitate the circumvention of sanctions.
