Kremlin warns new US sanctions will complicate Ukraine peace efforts

The Kremlin warned on Thursday that new U.S. sanctions would "definitely complicate" efforts to find a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, following the passage of a sweeping sanctions bill by the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation, which now awaits President Donald Trump's signature, authorizes tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. The House passed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Wednesday in a 262-159 vote, sending it to the White House after Senate approval last month. The bill targets Russia's energy and defense sectors, as well as its so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade existing Western sanctions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the legislation as an "unfriendly action" during a press briefing on Thursday. "Of course, the imposition of any additional sanctions by the U.S. would certainly complicate efforts to find a peace settlement in Ukraine," Peskov told reporters. The bill's tariff provisions represent a significant escalation, granting Trump discretionary authority to impose punitive duties on countries that continue purchasing Russian energy.