Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act

Summary#

This bill, titled the Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025, would require the President to impose broad sanctions and trade restrictions on the Russian Federation and related persons and entities if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine, violates a peace agreement, or starts another military invasion of Ukraine. It directs blocking of property and financial sanctions, bans on new U.S. investments in Russia, bans on purchases of Russian sovereign debt, restrictions on Russian financial institutions (including major banks), limits on energy and uranium trade, higher import duties on Russian goods, and visa and travel restrictions for listed Russian officials. The bill also targets foreign persons and vessels that help Russia avoid sanctions, addresses Russia–North Korea cooperation, and requires reports on North Korean support for Russia and on kidnapping of Ukrainian children. The President may grant waivers and may end sanctions if specific conditions are met, including a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine. The bill also repeals the sunset of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

What it means for you#

  • U.S. persons would be prohibited from making new investments in the Russian Federation and from buying Russian sovereign debt.
  • U.S. banks, brokers, and dealers would generally be barred from processing transfers of funds to or from the Russian government or for the direct benefit of Russian officials, unless a license allows it.
  • The Securities and Exchange Commission would be required to prohibit trading of securities from issuers affiliated with the Russian government on U.S. national exchanges.
  • Major Russian banks named in the bill (for example, Sberbank and VTB Bank) would face automatic sanctions, and U.S. persons could be barred from transacting with them.
  • Energy-related activities and exports to Russia would be restricted, and imports of certain Russian energy products could face much higher duties (up to 500 percent ad valorem).
  • U.S. visas and admission could be denied or revoked for listed Russian officials and other designated persons.
  • Humanitarian, certain nuclear cooperation, NASA activities, and other specific exceptions are included in the bill text.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill's stated purpose in the text is to pressure the Russian government to negotiate and respect a peace agreement with Ukraine, to deter further military invasions, to punish and block entities and persons that support Russia's war effort or evade sanctions, and to respond to specific harms such as forced transfer of Ukrainian children and Russia–North Korea cooperation.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.