The legislation, which would allow the president to levy a 500% tariff on imports from countries that purchase Russian uranium, gas and oil, has gained momentum in the Senate as Trump has signaled he will escalate US action against Russia.

A change to a nuclear-related license fueled the claim that the Trump administration lifted U.S. sanctions on Russia.

Republicans are showing a growing appetite for long-threatened sanctions that would seek to cut off Russia from vital trading partners like China, India and possibly Europe, as President Trump looks for leverage to stop the Ukraine war.