The Kremlin has criticised a bill passed by the US Congress to significantly tighten sanctions against Russia, known as the package «severe sanctions». Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, described the document as an «unfriendly act» and stated that the new restrictions would allegedly complicate efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the war against Ukraine. The bill has already passed both houses of Congress and is awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature.
Key points at a glance:
- The Kremlin has criticised the new US sanctions.
- Peskov described them as an «unfriendly act».
- The bill has already been passed by Congress.
- It provides for duties of up to 100%.
- The document is awaiting Trump’s signature.
What the Kremlin said
17 September Peskov stated that Moscow is monitoring the progress of the US bill.
«This falls into the category of unfriendly actions,» said the Kremlin spokesperson, adding that, in Moscow’s view, the imposition of further US sanctions would complicate efforts to reach a peaceful settlement regarding Ukraine.
This is the Russian side’s position. The authors and supporters of the draft law In the US, by contrast, it is argued that stepping up economic pressure should force Moscow to take the negotiations more seriously.
What do the «hellish sanctions» entail?»
The US House of Representatives approved the bill on 16 September 262 votes to 159. Prior to this, the Senate had backed him with a result of 86 to 11. The official title of the document is — Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026.
The draft bill introduces new restrictions against:
- the Russian energy sector;
- the Russian Federation’s defence industry;
- the so-called «shadow fleet» of tankers, which is used to circumvent oil sanctions;
- certain Russian officials and organisations.
The most controversial part of the document allows the US President to introduce duties under 100% on goods from countries that continue to purchase significant volumes of Russian oil and gas. Among the countries that could potentially be affected, Reuters names China and India.
The bill has already been submitted to Trump
Following a vote in the House of Representatives, the bill – which had previously been endorsed by the Senate – is sent to the US President for signature. This is the most significant legislative package concerning Ukraine to have been passed by Congress since its return Donald Trump to the White House.
The American media are also reporting that Trump intends to sign the bill into law.
At the same time, the law does not mean that maximum tariffs will automatically be imposed on all purchasers of Russian energy resources. It grants the President considerable powers to determine when and against which countries such measures should be applied. It was precisely because of the scope of these powers that some Democrats voted against the bill.
Ukraine supported Congress’s decision
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the draft sanctions bill and other measures of economic pressure could serve as a means of compelling Russia to end the war and enter into negotiations.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sibiga He also described Congress’s decision as a response to Russia’s refusal to end the war against Ukraine.
Consequently, Moscow and Kyiv have contrasting views on the impact of the new US sanctions on diplomacy: the Kremlin claims that they will complicate negotiations, whilst the Ukrainian side regards economic pressure as a means of persuading Russia to end the war.
