The Kremlin expressed concern on Thursday that the imposition of new sanctions by the United States against Russia would complicate efforts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine, according to reports.
This statement followed the U.S. House of Representatives’ adoption of a comprehensive sanctions package aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The legislation is now headed to President Donald Trump for signing.
“Of course, we are monitoring the progress of this document. It falls into the category of hostile actions, and clearly, the imposition of any additional sanctions by the U.S. would certainly complicate the efforts to find a peaceful resolution in Ukraine,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov.
U.S.-mediated efforts to end the nearly four-and-a-half-year war in Ukraine have been stalled for months. However, President Trump sent two emissaries to Moscow and Kyiv earlier this month in an attempt to revive the peace process.
The U.S. sanctions bill targets Russia’s energy and defense industries, as well as a “phantom fleet” of tankers that evade existing sanctions, with the goal of depriving Moscow of the revenue necessary to finance the war against Ukraine.
Additionally, it authorizes Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China, India, and other countries to reduce their reliance on Russian oil and gas.
In response to the sanctions package approved by the U.S. Congress, India, a major purchaser of Russian oil, warned that it would protect its interests.
