Trump's new sanctions could push Ukraine peace deal further away, Russia warns

After the US House of Representatives passed a sweeping sanctions and tariffs bill intended to build economic pressure on Russia, the Kremlin warned that any new punitive measures from Washington would make efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine more difficult.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Moscow was closely watching the legislation and viewed additional US sanctions as an unfriendly step.

"We are, of course, monitoring the progress of this document. It falls under the category of unfriendly actions, and of course the imposition of any additional sanctions by the US would certainly complicate efforts to find a peace settlement in Ukraine," Peskov told reporters.

This comes as US-led efforts to end Russia's more than four-and-a-half-year war in Ukraine remain stalled, despite a renewed diplomatic push by the Trump administration. After months of little progress in negotiations, Trump sent his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv earlier this month in an attempt to revive the peace process. The two envoys met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow before travelling to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The US House passed the legislation on Wednesday by 262-159, with 58 Democrats joining all but seven Republicans in supporting it. The US Senate had approved the bill last month by 86-11. With both chambers now having cleared the measure, it has been sent to President Donald Trump for his signature. His decision will determine whether the sweeping new sanctions and tariff provisions become law.

The legislation, named the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" in honour of the late South Carolina Republican, targets Russia's energy and defence sectors and its shadow fleet of tankers accused of helping Moscow evade existing sanctions.

The bill also gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries such as China and India that continue buying Russian oil and gas. It would also extend sanctions on Iran.

The legislation is the most significant Ukraine-related measure passed by Congress since Trump returned to the White House and Republicans took control of both chambers in January 2025.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also backed the measure, saying this week that it was "important that it becomes law. I thank everyone around the world who supports this approach and who knows that strength works."CHINA, INDIA PUSH BACK

China criticised the legislation on Thursday, objecting to the possibility of Washington imposing secondary tariffs on countries that maintain economic ties with Russia.

China has "consistently opposed long-arm jurisdiction that lacks a basis in international law and has not been authorised by the UN Security Council," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said.

India, meanwhile, warned that new US tariffs linked to Russian oil purchases could affect bilateral ties.

New Delhi said it had raised its concerns with US interlocutors in recent months and had "very clearly articulated" the possible consequences for the relationship and the global energy market.

"The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests," India's foreign ministry said, as quoted by Reuters. India is one of the largest buyers of Russian crude and has repeatedly defended its right to source energy based on price, availability and market conditions.NEW DELHI-US TRADE TALKS UNDER PRESSURE

The proposed tariffs could also add pressure to ongoing India-US trade negotiations.

Indian trade analysts have warned that Washington could use the tariff threat to push New Delhi to reduce its Russian oil purchases, potentially complicating efforts to conclude a trade agreement.

"Washington may use the tariff threat to pressure India to reduce Russian oil purchases and accept a deeply unequal trade agreement," said Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative and a former trade official, as quoted by Reuters.

Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, is due to travel to the US later this month for the G20 trade ministers' meeting, where he is expected to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and discuss the trade deal.- EndsPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Sep 17, 2026 18:09 IST