Ukraine's sanctions chief heads to Washington to lobby House on sweeping Russia-Iran bill

Ukraine’s sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk is set to arrive in Washington this week for a series of meetings with members of the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to secure backing for the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.” The bill, which passed the Senate on August 7 by a vote of 86-11, would impose sanctions on Russian officials, target Iran, and grant the president authority to levy tariffs of up to 100 % on nations that heavily import Russian oil and gas, including India, Japan and several EU states.

While former Senator Lindsey Graham championed the legislation and President Donald Trump has voiced support, many House Democrats, led by Hakeem Jeffries, are uneasy about the expansive tariff provisions and fear potential abuse. No floor vote has been scheduled, and the measure’s fate now hinges on negotiations within the narrowly divided House. The push comes as Kyiv endures recent drone attacks that have killed dozens. If enacted, the law would intensify economic pressure on Moscow while reshaping U.S. trade policy toward energy-dependent countries.