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.

Either way, it would be a step further than Joe Biden ever went. The former president, a much stronger backer of Kyiv, was unwilling to crack down against Russian energy exports, fearful of the impact on pump prices and his chance of re-election.