Four US senators introduced the Decreasing Russian Oil Profits Act of 2025 on 16 December, according to Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna.
The bipartisan legislation targets anyone purchasing or facilitating imports of Russian oil and petroleum products. Republicans Dave McCormick and Jon Husted joined Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons in sponsoring the bill, Stefanishyna reported on social media.
"The authors of the bill emphasized that buying Russian oil funds the war against Ukraine, and any countries, companies or financial intermediaries that facilitate such trade should understand the consequences, including the risk of losing access to the US financial system," the ambassador wrote.
The legislation creates a legal framework for intensifying sanctions pressure on Russian oil revenues. If passed, the president would be required to impose sanctions within 90 days on persons involved in importing Russian oil. The Treasury Secretary will compile the list after consultations with the Secretary of State, according to Stefanishyna.
Senator McCormick said that purchasing Russian oil actively funds Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Senator Husted said the bill sends a message that Congress will no longer tolerate nations that condemn Putin's actions while funding his war machine through oil purchases.
Senator Warren emphasized that anyone who helps facilitate imports of Russian-origin oil risks losing access to the US financial system. Senator Coons said Putin will only stop when we stop him, accusing Russia of using oil profits to fund a war that has seen torture and killing of civilians.
The bill provides limited exceptions for countries that isolate Russian oil proceeds or for importers who pay a per-barrel fee into an account to help Ukraine defend itself.
Russian oil prices reached their lowest levels since the start of the full-scale war as sanctions strengthen the discounts Russia's oil industry must offer, while benchmark oil futures decline.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated that the European Union is not considering lifting sanctions on Russia and instead believes it necessary to increase pressure.
US President Donald Trump said in November during a Fox News podcast with Brian Kilmeade that sanctions against Russian oil would remain in force during discussions of an American peace plan.
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