A bipartisan coalition in the U.S. Senate is working to maintain momentum behind a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia and Iran, with lawmakers from both parties arguing that the legislation would send a broader message about the United States’ determination to confront authoritarian powers.
Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the overwhelming bipartisan backing reflects a growing recognition in Congress that Russia’s war against Ukraine is not merely a regional conflict but a test of the international order.
Last week, the Senate advanced the Russia and Iran Sanctions Act in a key procedural vote, with Curtis presiding over the session. Speaking to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on August 5, he described the level of bipartisan support as significant.
“It’s not often you see issues in the Senate with this kind of overwhelming bipartisan support,” Curtis said. “When so many of my colleagues from both sides come together, people should pay attention because it means we are serious and something is going to happen.”
The legislation would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia’s financial and energy sectors, target Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet used to evade sanctions, and expand U.S. authorities to sanction Iran. It also includes provisions allowing the president to impose tariffs on countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas.
Curtis said he expects the bill to move forward despite the Senate’s unpredictable schedule.
“There is hope that it will happen this week,” he said. “I’m not overly concerned whether it happens this week or in the coming weeks. Things in the Senate have a life of their own, but I believe we’ll get it done. It’s just a matter of how quickly.”
Ukraine War Seen as a Global Test
Curtis argued that allowing Russia to prevail in Ukraine would have consequences far beyond Eastern Europe, particularly by influencing China’s calculations regarding Taiwan.
“From my perspective, from the very beginning, this has been a war in which it is unacceptable for Russia to win,” Curtis said. “We stand with freedom. We stand with Ukraine. We cannot tolerate a dictator invading a friendly nation.”
Asked what victory would mean for Ukraine, Curtis referenced President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s definition of success as simply surviving Russia’s aggression.
“If you ask President Zelenskyy, victory means they didn’t lose today, they won’t lose tomorrow, and they won’t lose the day after,” he said.
Curtis noted that Russia’s original objective was the complete conquest of Ukraine.
“Russia defined victory as taking over Ukraine. Anything short of that is a victory for Ukraine. The fact that Ukraine has resisted four and a half years of aggression is already a remarkable achievement.”
While acknowledging divisions within the Republican Party over the extent of U.S. foreign commitments, Curtis maintained that Ukraine remains vital to American national security interests.
“Failure is not an option,” he said.
He warned that weakening U.S. support would send dangerous signals worldwide.
“If Putin is allowed to win in Ukraine, it will dramatically affect many other parts of the world. President Xi is watching what happens in Ukraine. If we retreat, he will assume we would also retreat over Taiwan.”
China, Iran and the Broader Strategic Challenge
Curtis said Beijing is closely monitoring Washington’s response to Russia’s invasion, viewing it as an indicator of how the U.S. might react to a future crisis in the Indo-Pacific.
“There is no doubt they are watching our response,” he said. “That is why we must send a very clear message that we stand with freedom.”
He described Russia, Iran and China as part of a broader challenge posed by governments that oppose democratic values.
“Anyone who thinks this is not a battle between good and evil is mistaken,” Curtis said. “We know where Iran stands. We know where the dictators stand. We know where democracy and freedom stand. The battle lines are very clear.”
He added that Iran and China should not be viewed as detached from the conflict.
“This is an opportunity to clearly see who our friends are—and who they are not.”
Iran’s inclusion in the sanctions package reflects congressional concerns over Tehran’s military cooperation with Moscow and efforts by both governments to circumvent Western sanctions.
Bipartisan Push Continues
Momentum for the legislation increased on August 4, when lawmakers from both parties urged swift action.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on foreign policy issues, described the bill as one of Congress’s strongest tools for increasing pressure on the Kremlin.
She argued that sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector, financial institutions, Arctic LNG projects, and shadow fleet would strike at the economic foundations supporting President Vladimir Putin’s war effort.
The bill also authorizes tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports from countries that continue financing Russia through purchases of Russian oil and gas, particularly China.
Shaheen said Ukraine needs the legislation and emphasized that Republicans and Democrats remain united in sending a clear warning to Moscow.
On the same day, Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana urged the Senate to act quickly.
“Stop talking and start voting,” Kennedy told fellow lawmakers.
He praised Ukraine’s battlefield innovation—especially its drone capabilities—and argued that reducing Russia’s energy revenues would limit the Kremlin’s ability to sustain the war without requiring additional U.S. resources.
Supporters say the broad bipartisan coalition behind the legislation demonstrates that maintaining pressure on Russia remains one of the few issues where Democrats and Republicans continue to find common ground.
Ukraine’s Drone Innovations
Curtis also highlighted Ukraine’s rapid advances in drone technology as an example of the mutual benefits of cooperation between allies.
“Ukraine has been incredibly impressive with the progress it has made over the last four and a half years in defending itself,” he said. “One of those areas is drone technology.”
“The fact that we can share knowledge with them and learn from them shows how valuable allies can be when they work together and benefit each other.”
Humanitarian Concerns
Curtis voiced support for efforts to return Ukrainian children taken during the war, calling their protection a humanitarian priority.
“War has many terrible consequences, and unfortunately children are often among the victims,” he said. “We should spare no effort to bring those children home and protect children everywhere.”
Referring to recent Russian attacks on civilian areas, he said the international community must continue demanding accountability.
“We recently saw people killed when Russia bombed a residential building,” Curtis said. “That is unacceptable, and we must remain committed to ensuring children everywhere are safe and protected.”
Distinguishing Between Iran’s People and Its Government
While supporting tougher measures against Tehran, Curtis stressed that sanctions should distinguish between Iran’s leadership and its people.
“It is clear that the Iranian people and their leadership are in very different places,” he said.
He added that the United States—and the wider international community—ultimately seeks a healthy relationship with Iran.
“In many ways, the Iranian people are as much victims of their dictatorship as anyone else.”
Curtis expressed hope that Iran could one day become a partner rather than an adversary.
“I hope the day comes when we can stand with Iran as friends and allies in the region, bringing prosperity to everyone. If Iran resolves these issues, I believe we can move forward together.”
