US Senators urge administration to target Russia’s war financing

Bipartisan U.S. Senate leadership is urging the Trump administration to accelerate economic measures against Russia to disrupt the financing of its war in Ukraine. In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Roger Wicker called for the immediate implementation of tools provided by the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.

The senators identified Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’—tankers used to transport oil while evading Western restrictions—as a primary target for urgent action. They also emphasized the need to block foreign suppliers of military technology and disrupt Russia’s emerging satellite system, which Ukraine warns could enhance the effectiveness of bombing attacks.

The appeal comes as many provisions of the newly signed law are set to take effect on October 18. The senators warned that “every day that passes without maximum economic pressure allows Moscow to sustain this military escalation,” citing increased Russian missile strikes and the deployment of North Korean troops as reasons for swift intervention.