US Congressmen Urge Trump Not to Delay Sanctions Against Russia

A bipartisan group of 22 members of the U.S. House of Representatives has called on President Donald Trump to fully implement the law strengthening sanctions against Russia. Lawmakers are urging the application of new economic restrictions by October 18, when the first statutory deadline for their implementation arrives.

This was stated in a message from Democratic congressman Jim Costa on October 15.

The appeal was initiated by Costa and co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus Mike Quigley, Marcy Kaptur, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Joe Wilson. Among the signatories are also influential Republican representatives, including former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul.

Lawmakers are demanding from the Trump administration the full application of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a law on sanctions against Russia and Iran passed in September and named after Senator Lindsey Graham.

"As Russia prepares for the fifth winter campaign against Ukraine, the United States has the opportunity to intensify peace efforts by exerting maximum pressure on Vladimir Putin and the governments and networks that fund his war", - the authors of the letter stressed.

The congressmen called for sanctions against Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, state enterprises, and foreign structures that help Moscow circumvent existing restrictions.

They also demand applying secondary tariffs to the largest buyers of Russian energy resources, strengthening control over foreign financial institutions, shadow tanker fleet operators, and intermediaries in Russian oil trade.

At the same time, lawmakers propose providing exceptions for US allies who reduce their dependence on Russian energy resources. They also demand transparent reporting from the administration on sanctions application, possible deferrals, and criteria for evaluating their effectiveness.

The law, which Trump signed on September 18, provides, in particular, the possibility of raising tariffs on goods from Russia up to 500%, as well as secondary tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that meet the law's criteria for purchasing Russian oil and gas or facilitating sanctions evasion.

At the same time, the US President has the right to apply individual exceptions to sanction requirements, but must justify them by national interests and notify Congress.

Separate concern of the congressmen was caused by the easing of restrictions on trade in Russian diesel fuel. In their appeal, they called on the White House to reconsider the decision to issue general licenses that allow operations with Russian energy resources and may provide Moscow with additional revenues.

Recall, on October 9, Trump announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin to increase supplies of Russian diesel fuel to the world market. The American administration explained this by a desire to curb rising fuel prices.

On the same day, the U.S. Treasury Department issued General License No. 135, which temporarily allows operations related to the sale, transportation, and import of diesel fuel of Russian origin, including to the United States. The license is valid until April 7, 2027.

Earlier, on October 13, a separate appeal to Trump was made by a bipartisan group of 12 U.S. senators led by Democrat Richard Blumenthal and Republican Thom Tillis.

The senators demanded to cancel the diesel agreement with Putin and revoke License No. 135. In their opinion, permission to sell Russian fuel on world markets will provide the Kremlin with additional funds to continue the war against Ukraine, while having almost no impact on prices for American consumers.

"This agreement is a gift to our adversary and betrayal of our allies. It must be canceled", - the senators said.

Thus, on the eve of the first deadline for implementing the sanctions law, representatives of both houses of Congress have appealed to Trump with a demand to increase economic pressure on Russia. The authors of the latest letter expect from the administration a response regarding specific sanctions and tariffs, possible exceptions, and timelines for implementing the law.

Based on materials: Jim Costa, Michael McCaul, Richard Blumenthal