The United States is getting ready to sharply increase its economic pressure on Russia, with President Donald Trump saying on Sunday that he supports new Senate legislation that would let Washington place tariffs of up to 500 per cent on countries that continue to trade with Moscow.

“The Republicans are putting in legislation that is very tough… on any country doing business with Russia," Trump told reporters before leaving Florida for the White House. The proposal, pushed for months by Senator Lindsey Graham, has gained more support as lawmakers grow frustrated with Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in October that he was prepared to move the bill forward, although he did not give a clear timeline.

According to Bloomberg, the legislation would allow Trump to impose very steep tariffs up to 500 per cent on imports from countries that buy Russian oil or gas and are seen as not offering enough backing to Ukraine. The move targets major buyers of Russian energy, including China and India. “We may add Iran to that," Trump added, without sharing further information.

The push comes at a time when Moscow is intensifying its efforts to seize the strategic rail hub of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine while also continuing air strikes across the country. Ukraine has responded by expanding its long-range attacks on Russian oil sites.

For months, Democrats and several Republicans have called for stricter measures, accusing the Kremlin of dragging out the conflict and ignoring diplomatic talks. Trump had earlier held back from supporting new sanctions while he tried to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the negotiating table. His meeting with Putin in Alaska earlier this year led to no progress.

Washington has already acted against India for its continued purchase of Russian crude. In August 2025, Trump signed an executive order adding a 25 per cent “Russian oil" surcharge on top of an existing 25 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian exports, which increased total duties to 50 per cent. The administration said the step was aimed at countries that “indirectly fund Russia’s war machine."

India has since indicated that it has reduced its imports of Russian oil. In October, Trump said he believed New Delhi had “significantly reduced" its intake and suggested that the United States could lower the tariffs. “We’ll bring the tariffs down at some point," he said.

After months of tension, Washington has softened its earlier tough tone and is now showing a willingness to improve trade discussions with India.