The Kremlin on Thursday described the US House of Representatives bill imposing major sanctions on Russia as an unfriendly action, and warned that further US sanctions could complicate efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine. The statements came a day after the House passed the Lindsey O’Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 262-159.
According to Reuters news agency kremlin Russia’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia is monitoring the process of legislation, of course we are keeping an eye on the progress of this document. This falls into the category of unfriendly action, and undoubtedly any further sanctions by the US will complicate efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine.
Awaiting Trump’s approval
This measure will now go to US President Donald Trump and will give the administration the authority to impose sanctions on Russia and impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top five buyers of Russian oil or natural gas. The bill also targets Russian officials, banks, energy projects and the shadow fleet of tankers used to transport Russian energy.
This law was named after the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who spent more than a year negotiating it.
The Senate passed the measure 86-11 last month. The tariff provisions of the bill will have a significant impact on India and China, which are among the largest buyers of Russian crude. According to Congress allies cited in the report, the top five buyers of crude oil from Russia are China, India, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan.
US effort to end Ukraine war pushed back
US-mediated efforts to end Ukraine’s four-and-a-half-year war had been stalled for months, but Trump sent two envoys to Moscow and Kiev earlier this month in an attempt to restart the process.
This law has received both support from both parties in the US House and criticism from the Democratic Party. Supporters said the tariff provision was intended to prevent countries from buying Russian energy, while critics warned the move could also impact America’s allies and raise prices for American consumers.
“For too long, Putin has funded this dangerous war with the money and resources of countries willing to look the other way, and today, it ends,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said.
American move to ban will increase tension
The Democratic opposition was worried about what power this law would give to Trump. Rep. Don Beyer said that if Trump used the new power against America’s allies, his supporters may regret the move. Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who helped write the bill, said he hoped the ban would put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate.
Blumenthal said, “Vladimir Putin – we have your number.And to Ukraine – you are not alone.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had urged lawmakers to approve the law, saying that in a time of war “it is better to take an incomplete decision than to do nothing.”
