House passes Russia sanctions and tariffs bill, sends it to Trump
The bill passed 262 to 159 as Washington and Moscow trade signals over a possible energy truce
Published
The House of Representatives passed a bill imposing sanctions and tariffs over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, voting 262 to 159. The measure now goes to President Trump, who is expected to sign it into law.
The vote comes as other parts of the US government have moved the other way on Russia sanctions. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control recently amended a Venezuela general license and separately dropped a number of Russia-related and counter-narcotics sanctions designations.
Moscow has been signalling openness to a negotiated end to the fighting. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Trump's idea of an energy truce between Russia and Ukraine was a good one, and Russian officials have said lifting sanctions would bring down world energy prices. Russia has also extended its diesel export ban to October, according to Vedomosti, as both sides trade signals over a possible energy deal. EU President Ursula von der Leyen has promised what she called the strongest support for Ukraine through what she called the hardest winter, though without new financial commitments or specifics. On Tuesday, Brent's physical spot price traded above $135 a barrel, with the six-month calendar spread widening past $20.
The House vote fits within the diplomatic framework both Trump and the Kremlin have signalled openness to, one built around an energy-focused ceasefire. Rather than escalating tensions, the bill codifies the sanctions posture the US already holds while leaving room for relief to be negotiated later, in keeping with Trump's preference for a deal over prolonged conflict. That makes it neither a hawkish surprise nor a dovish concession, and largely in line with what markets already expect from talks toward a Ukraine settlement.