A bipartisan group of senators on Friday praised an agreement with the Trump administration to advance updated legislation aimed at holding purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas accountable.
They called it a significant step toward increasing economic pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said they expect to unveil the revised legislation "very soon" after reaching the agreement with the administration.
"We are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement with the Trump administration to move our updated Russia sanctions legislation forward," the senators said in a joint statement.
They added that, as Russia intensifies attacks on civilians, the executive and legislative branches should work together "to exact a heavy price on those who buy Russian oil and natural gas, fueling the Putin war machine."
The measure is aimed at countries that continue purchasing Russian energy exports, a major source of revenue for the Kremlin as the war in Ukraine continues.
Earlier versions of the legislation would authorize the president to impose sweeping secondary sanctions and steep tariffs on nations that continue doing business with Russia's energy sector.
The legislation has drawn broad bipartisan support in the Senate but had stalled while lawmakers negotiated with the White House over revisions intended to preserve flexibility for the administration in conducting diplomacy with Moscow.
Graham said Friday the agreement clears the way for the bill to move toward consideration and would provide President Donald Trump with additional tools to pressure Russia into ending the conflict.
The announcement comes as Russia continues missile and drone attacks across Ukraine and after months of unsuccessful efforts by the Trump administration to broker a negotiated settlement between Moscow and Kyiv.
The senators did not release the text of the updated legislation or provide a timeline for its formal introduction or Senate consideration. They also did not disclose what changes were made during negotiations with the administration.
According to the lawmakers, the legislation is designed to hold purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas accountable by increasing the economic costs of supporting Moscow's energy exports, which they said continue to finance Russia's military operations in Ukraine.
The bipartisan group said the agreement reflects cooperation between Congress and the White House to strengthen economic pressure on Russia while giving the administration additional tools to pursue its foreign policy objectives.