US Senate overwhelmingly approves bill to impose sanctions on Russia

Washington, July 8 (KUNA) – The U.S. Senate on Friday approved a bipartisan bill that would impose tougher sanctions on Russia and major buyers of Russian oil, as well as extend existing sanctions on Iran. The vote was 86 in favor and 11 against. The legislation had been a key legislative priority for the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly in mid-June. The bill remained stalled and shrouded in uncertainty for most of the week, as senators engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations over amendments. Some senators from both parties expressed concerns about the potential for further tariff increases on major U.S. trading partners. According to the U.S. newspaper The Hill, if enacted, the measure would impose stricter sanctions on Russia and its oil and gas buyers than those previously imposed by the United States, while also extending existing sanctions on Iran, aiming to exert economic pressure on both countries. The Iran-related provision was added later at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump to prevent the expiration of long-standing sanctions before the end of the year. Most senators had met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 28, where they discussed the rationale for increased military aid and the passage of the sanctions bill. (End) R.S.R. / M.A.H.A.