New Senate Bill Would Increase Sanctions on Russia’s Energy Sector
A bipartisan group of nine senators introduced a bill Sept. 18 that would expand U.S. sanctions authorities against the “shadow fleet” of tankers Russia has deployed to circumvent the international price cap on its oil and generate funds for its military.
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The Sanctioning Harbors and Dodgers of Western Sanctions Act, or the Shadow, Fleets Act, would provide a “list of indicators” to make it easier to identify and sanction shadow fleet vessels, according to a bill summary. The legislation also would establish “strict sanctions liability” for ships that engage in oil transfers with sanctioned shadow fleet vessels, and it would further align U.S. sanctions with European measures.
"We must use all tools at our disposal to stand with Ukraine, including sanctioning Russia’s shadow fleet to choke off funds to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war machine," said Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who is leading the bill with committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho. "Our allies have sanctioned hundreds more shadow fleet vessels than the United States -- this legislation would force the Trump administration to bridge that gap."
The legislation also would target Russian liquefied natural gas projects and the country’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project to Europe. Russia’s defense industrial base would face additional sanctions.
The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.; Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Chris Coons, D-Del.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; and Tim Kaine, D-Va. The measure was referred to the Foreign Relations Committee.
The bill is among several new Senate efforts aimed at Russia’s war against Ukraine. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said Sept. 17 that he plans to introduce legislation to seize about $300 billion in frozen Russian assets and make the funds available to Ukraine to better equip its military (see 2509170059). Graham and Blumenthal introduced a bill Sept. 15 to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism until it returns more than 19,000 children it abducted during its invasion of Ukraine (see 2509110057).