Russia has warned that a fresh package of United States sanctions would make efforts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine more difficult. This would happen if signed into law by President Donald Trump.
According to Reuters, the warning came after the US House of Representatives approved sweeping sanctions. These sanctions are aimed at increasing economic pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
The legislation has been sent to Trump for his signature after clearing the House on Wednesday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the measures as unfriendly and warned that they could undermine already difficult negotiations.
“The imposition of any additional sanctions by the U.S. would certainly complicate efforts to find a peace settlement in Ukraine,” Peskov said.
Sanctions target Russian energy sector
The proposed measures target Russia’s energy and defence industries. Washington seeks to reduce revenue available to Moscow to finance the war.
They also target Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to move oil while avoiding existing Western restrictions.
The legislation would give Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries including China and India. The aim is to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas.
India has warned Washington that new tariffs connected to its purchases of Russian oil could damage relations between both countries.
The latest sanctions push comes as US-led efforts to broker an end to the war remain stalled.
Trump sent two envoys to Moscow and Kyiv earlier this month in an attempt to revive negotiations. However, no major breakthrough has been announced.
Russia’s latest response signals that the new sanctions could add another obstacle. This would complicate Washington’s efforts to bring both sides back towards a settlement.
