The author argues that the Sanctioning Russia Act (SRA), spearheaded by Senator Lindsey Graham, targets Russia’s oil and gas revenues and punishes energy buyers and facilitators of sanctions evasion, presenting it as Russia’s largest economic threat.

Placed in a broader geopolitical frame, the piece portrays the United States as a decisive peacemaker in contrast to ongoing Ukrainian casualties, invoking Holodomor-era stakes to emphasize the urgency for Ukraine.

Despite a strong Senate showing (86-11), House resistance remains over concerns about harming European partners, though the bill offers exemptions for allies and waivers for National Security justifications.

The author argues a 100% tariff on Russia’s top five energy buyers would choke sanctions evasion, potentially ending Russia’s war economy and urges the House to fast‑track passage as a humanitarian and democratic imperative.

Authored by David Root, a Kyiv Post journalist focused on countering disinformation and supporting Ukraine in Washington; the piece presents his personal viewpoint.

The SRA would impose a 100% tariff on major buyers of Russian energy and sanction entities involved in evasion, with broader penalties on banks, defense sectors, oligarchs, and officials, plus sanctions for human rights abuses including kidnapping of Ukrainian children.

The article claims the bill could cripple Russia’s war effort by depriving roughly 40% of its budget from energy revenues and argues that codifying existing measures would strengthen congressional oversight and close loopholes left by past sanctions.