PEACE Act of 2025

This bill aims to pressure Russia to stop its attacks on Ukraine by tightening access to U.S. banking for certain foreign banks. It tells the Treasury Department to, within 180 days, block or strictly limit special U.S. bank accounts that foreign banks use to move money (correspondent and payable-through accounts) if those banks knowingly help sanctioned Russian people or companies, including those tied to Russia’s energy sector. The bill explains that Russia continued large missile and drone strikes in 2025 despite calls for peace, which is why these steps are being taken.

Breaking these rules could bring heavy penalties: civil fines up to $377,700 or twice the transaction amount, and criminal fines up to $1,000,000 and as much as 20 years in prison for individuals.

• Who is affected: foreign financial institutions with U.S. accounts; U.S. banks that host those accounts; Russian entities under sanctions or in the energy sector.
• What changes: Treasury must issue regulations within 180 days; within 90 days, Treasury must report whether Gazprom, Rosneft, and Lukoil meet the criteria for tighter limits; the President may grant waivers for up to 180 days at a time with reasons provided to Congress.
• When it ends: the law ends 30 days after the President reports that Russia has stopped destabilizing Ukraine or 5 years after it becomes law, whichever comes first.