2026 Sanctions Update: Escalating Pressure on Russia and Those Who Enable Its War
As Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine continues, international sanctions remain one of the most critical tools for constraining the Kremlin’s ability to finance aggression. Recent developments in the United States, United Kingdom, and beyond signal a renewed effort to strengthen sanctions enforcement — while also revealing growing global divisions over their scope and legitimacy.
This January 2026 sanctions update highlights key policy shifts, legislative momentum, and geopolitical responses that will shape the next phase of economic pressure on Russia and its enablers.
Renewed Momentum for U.S. Sanctions on Russia
In the United States, bipartisan momentum is building around expanded sanctions targeting Russia’s energy revenues — the financial backbone of its war machine.
A revived congressional sanctions bill would grant the U.S. President broad authority to impose secondary sanctions on countries and entities that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas, and petrochemical products. Such measures are designed not only to punish Russia directly, but also to deter third countries from sustaining Moscow’s export income.
If enacted, this legislation could significantly raise the cost of doing business with Russia, tightening financial isolation and reinforcing the principle that neutrality in the face of aggression carries consequences.
Targeting Energy Revenues: A Strategic Pressure Point
Energy exports remain Russia’s most important source of foreign currency. Despite existing sanctions, Moscow continues to generate billions in revenue through oil and gas sales — often routed through intermediaries or discounted markets.
By focusing sanctions on energy buyers and facilitators, U.S. lawmakers aim to close loopholes that allow Russia to adapt and endure. This approach reflects a growing consensus: as long as Russia can sell energy, it can sustain war.
For Ukraine, stronger enforcement in this area directly translates into reduced military capacity on the battlefield.
A Contrasting Signal: U.S. Sanctions Flexibility on Venezuela
At the same time, U.S. officials have signaled a willingness to selectively ease sanctions on Venezuela in order to stabilize global energy markets. Special licenses granted to energy traders underscore a pragmatic — and controversial — dimension of sanctions policy.
While energy security concerns are real, these decisions highlight the delicate balance between geopolitical strategy and economic necessity. They also reinforce the importance of ensuring that sanctions on Russia remain firm, consistent, and immune to similar erosion.
The United Kingdom and the Question of Russian Assets
In the United Kingdom, legal analysis is underway regarding the potential seizure of frozen Russian sovereign assets.
Supporters argue that using these assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction would constitute a lawful countermeasure to Russia’s violations of international law. Critics caution that such actions could challenge longstanding legal principles, including sovereign immunity.
This debate reflects a broader global question: how far democratic states are willing to go to ensure accountability for aggression — and whether existing legal frameworks are sufficient for the scale of Russia’s crimes.
Global Pushback: China and North Korea Respond
Not all international actors support expanded sanctions.
China has publicly rejected U.S. pressure to reduce trade with Russia, defending its energy cooperation with Moscow as legitimate and lawful. This stance underscores the limits of Western sanctions in a multipolar world and highlights the growing geopolitical divide over accountability for Russia’s actions.
Meanwhile, North Korea has denounced international sanctions monitoring efforts, reinforcing its alignment with Russia and its opposition to sanctions enforcement mechanisms outside the United Nations framework.
Why This Moment Matters for Ukraine
Sanctions are not symbolic. They shape the battlefield.
Every restriction on Russia’s energy revenues, financial access, and international trade reduces its ability to wage war. Every loophole left open prolongs the conflict and the suffering of civilians.
As Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty, sustained and escalating sanctions remain essential — not only as punishment, but as prevention.
What Comes Next
The coming months will be decisive. Expanded U.S. sanctions authority, legal innovation in asset seizures, and international enforcement coordination could dramatically increase pressure on Russia. At the same time, resistance from authoritarian states makes clear that unity cannot be taken for granted.
For Ukraine and its allies, the message is clear: sanctions must be comprehensive, enforced, and sustained.
How You Can Support Ukraine Today
Sanctions are most effective when citizens make their voices heard. As the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 advances in Congress, your advocacy directly helps ensure it becomes law and strengthens U.S. leadership in confronting Russia’s war machine.
Take Action with the American Ukraine Committee
Visit our action page to contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and support the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 — bipartisan legislation that would expand sanctions authority to hold Russia and those who enable its war accountable. On this critical sanctions front, there are two key advocacy actions you can take now:
Support the Sanctioning Russia Act in the U.S. Senate: https://www.amukr.org/support-the-sanctioning-russia-act-of-2025-senate
Support the Sanctioning Russia Act in the U.S. House of Representatives: https://www.amukr.org/support-the-sanctioning-russia-act-of-2025-house#/3/
Resources & Further Readings
U.S. Congress — Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 (Senate Text):
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1241/text
U.S. Congress — Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 (House Text):
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2548/text
Steptoe — “Sanctions Update 2026”
https://www.steptoe.com/en/news-publications/stepwise-risk-outlook/sanctions-update-january-12-2026.html
Atlantic Council — “How the new US sanctions on Russian oil will impact energy markets”
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/energysource/how-the-new-us-sanctions-on-russian-oil-will-impact-energy-markets/
Atlantic Council — “Oil, gas, and war: The effect of sanctions on the Russian energy industry”
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/oil-gas-and-war/
Foundation for Defense of Democracies — “Winning the Race of the Red Queen: How U.S. Sanctions Can Outpace Russia’s Evasion”
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/12/09/winning-the-race-of-the-red-queen-how-u-s-sanctions-can-outpace-russias-evasion/
Reuters — “Iran, Russia and the New Zealand insurer that kept their sanctioned oil flowing”
https://www.reuters.com/investigations/iran-russia-new-zealand-insurer-that-kept-their-sanctioned-oil-flowing-2025-10-28/
