Trump Backs Bill to Impose 500% Tariff on India for Buying Russian Oil Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

The US administration, led by President Donald Trump, is considering a tough new sanctions bill aimed at Russia's involvement in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The proposed legislation, the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, targets countries that knowingly trade in Russian oil and gas, including India. According to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump has given his approval for the bill, which could impose tariffs as high as 500% on offending nations. The bill is a bipartisan effort, co-authored by Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal. Its primary goal is to cut off Russia's financial lifeline by imposing tariffs and secondary sanctions on countries that purchase Russian oil, gas, and other exports. This move is part of the US administration's efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022. Graham stated that the bill would provide significant leverage against countries like China, India, and Brazil to discourage them from buying cheap Russian oil, which is fueling Putin's war machine. The passage of the bill in the US Congress has been long-stalled, but with Trump's approval, it is expected to gain momentum. The US has been trying to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, leading the negotiations. The passage of the sanctions bill could be a significant step in achieving this goal, as it would limit Russia's ability to finance its military actions in Ukraine.