Bennet Statement on Vote to Hold Russian Oil Purchasers Accountable for Supporting Putin’s War in Ukraine

Jul 29, 2026 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after voting to advance the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, legislation he co-sponsors to impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle and his enablers across Russian industry and financial institutions, the Russian shadow fleet, and firms supporting Russia's defense industrial base:

"For the past four years, Ukraine has fought bravely against Vladimir Putin's aggression, showing us what it looks like to fight and die for democracy, for their country, and for the West.

"Amid Putin's intransigence at the negotiating table and daily attacks across Ukraine, our bipartisan sanctions bill will impose greater pressure on Putin to end his unprovoked war, especially as Ukraine seizes the momentum and increasingly takes the fight to Moscow. I am pleased to see the Senate take the first step today to get this done.

"We must do everything we can to back the Ukrainian people in their fight - including by passing this bill and my legislation to ensure continued intelligence-sharing and to strengthen drone cooperation. Backing Ukraine today will be our best deterrence against authoritarian ambitions tomorrow."

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