Russia says new US sanctions, if signed by Trump, would make Ukraine peace deal harder

The Kremlin expressed concern on Thursday that additional US sanctions against Russia would hinder efforts to achieve a peace deal in Ukraine. The US House of Representatives recently passed a comprehensive sanctions package, which is now awaiting President Donald Trump's signature. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that any further measures from the US would be considered unfriendly actions and would undoubtedly complicate the peace settlement process in Ukraine.

For the past four and a half years, US-mediated efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine have been stalled. However, President Trump recently dispatched two envoys to Moscow and Kyiv in hopes of reigniting the peace process. The sanctions bill specifically targets Russia's energy and defense sectors, as well as its "shadow fleet" of tankers that circumvent existing sanctions, with the goal of depriving Moscow of revenue to fund its war with Ukraine.

Additionally, the bill authorizes Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China, India, and other nations to diminish their reliance on Russian oil and gas. India has cautioned Washington that new tariffs on Russian oil imports could strain bilateral relations.