New Bipartisan Bill Targets Foreign Buyers of Russian Oil Amid Ukraine Conflict
Legislation Aims to Curb Russian Oil Revenue
Washington: A coalition of US senators from both parties has put forward a new bill designed to impose financial penalties on foreign entities that continue to buy oil from Russia, aiming to cut off a significant revenue stream for Moscow's military operations in Ukraine.
The proposed legislation, known as the Decreasing Russian Oil Profits (DROP) Act of 2025, was introduced by Republican Senator Jon Husted from Ohio, along with Senators Dave McCormick, Elizabeth Warren, and Christopher Coons. This act would empower the US government to sanction foreign individuals or entities involved in the purchase of Russian oil products, whether directly or indirectly.
Senator Husted stated, "This legislation sends a strong message globally that there will be repercussions for those who persist in buying Russian oil," emphasizing that Congress will not accept the hypocrisy of nations that denounce Vladimir Putin's actions while financially supporting his war efforts through oil purchases.
The bill allows for limited exemptions from sanctions under specific conditions, such as providing military or economic aid to Ukraine. It also encourages US allies and trading partners to lessen their reliance on Russian energy.
"If our allies and trading partners wish to buy oil, they should consider American options," Husted remarked. "For those countries that choose to continue purchasing Russian oil, this legislation will motivate them to support Ukraine instead."
Proponents of the bill highlighted the ongoing global demand for Russian oil, despite existing sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Major consumers of Russian oil include China, India, Turkey, and Iran, often utilizing clandestine fleets.
A press release pointed out that while nearly all European nations have provided assistance to Ukraine, several still import oil from Russia, inadvertently financing the war.
McCormick noted that ongoing purchases of Russian oil undermine efforts to resolve the conflict. He stated, "Any nation or entity that buys Russian oil is directly funding Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Putin has shown he is not serious about ending this war, and those who continue to fuel his military should face consequences."
Warren highlighted the bill's emphasis on leveraging access to the US financial system. "No matter how the Kremlin attempts to reroute its exports to bypass our measures, anyone facilitating the import of Russian oil risks losing access to the US financial system," she asserted, stressing the need for the US to consistently raise costs for Russia as Putin continues his aggressive war.
Coons described the legislation as both a moral and strategic initiative, stating, "Putin will only cease his actions when we take decisive steps to stop him," accusing Russia of using oil revenues to finance a war characterized by atrocities against civilians and threats to democracy. He asserted that the bipartisan bill aims to sever Putin's financial lifelines by targeting the actual buyers of Russian oil.
The DROP Act mandates the Department of the Treasury to impose sanctions on foreign individuals deemed responsible for, complicit in, or knowingly facilitating the purchase of Russian oil products.
This includes entities owned or controlled by such purchasers or those acting on their behalf.
The bill outlines four potential exemptions, requiring countries to meet at least two criteria to avoid sanctions.
These criteria include isolating funds from Russian oil sales for humanitarian purposes while reducing purchases, depositing payments per barrel into a special account for Ukraine, providing substantial economic or military support to Ukraine, or importing oil from designated Russian ports for a limited time after the bill's enactment.