Kremlin responds to new US restrictions and warns of impact on peace deal

The Kremlin has responded to a new US sanctions bill targeting Russia after the legislation was passed by Congress and sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The Kremlin has responded to a new US sanctions bill targeting Russia after the legislation was passed by Congress and sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.

On Thursday, Russia warned that if Trump signs the bill into law, the new restrictions could affect efforts to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

The remarks came after the US House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to advance a comprehensive sanctions bill against Russia. The legislation is designed to increase financial pressure on Moscow over its ongoing war in Ukraine.

The proposed sanctions aim to cut off financial resources supporting Russia’s military campaign. The bill would impose strict restrictions on Russia’s defence and energy sectors while targeting the covert network of tankers allegedly used to circumvent existing trade restrictions.

It also includes secondary tariffs, giving President Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries such as China and India to discourage their continued reliance on Russian oil and gas.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “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 U.S. would certainly complicate efforts to find a peace settlement in Ukraine.”

US-led diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine have faced delays for months, with negotiations yet to produce a significant breakthrough.

President Donald Trump recently sent his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Moscow and Kyiv in an attempt to advance the peace process.

However, no major breakthrough has been achieved so far, although both sides have indicated a willingness to return to the negotiating table and continue discussions.