The extension of US sanctions against Russia, which allows tariffs of up to 100% to be imposed on those buying Russian energy, “can’t have a positive impact” in the negotiations between Moscow and Washington, the Kremlin said today.
© Ramil Sitdikov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
20/09/2026
by
Lusa
“ A ratification of the US law on new sanctions cannot definitely have a positive impact [in negotiations], as well as in the prospects of a peaceful solution for Ukraine,” said Russian Presidency spokesman Dmitri Peskov in statements quoted by the RIA Novosti agency.
Last Friday, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, ratified a law passed by Congress that extends sanctions against Russia and Iran and allows tariffs of up to 100% to be imposed on countries that buy Russian energy.
The project, called the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctions Act to Russia and Iran of 2026, provides for sanctions against officials, banks and strategic sectors of the Russian economy, as well as measures against the so-called ‘shadow’ oil tankers used to circumvent Western restrictions.
The law, promoted by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, does not automatically set tariffs, but enables the executive to apply them to Russian oil and gas buyers, a measure that will mainly affect countries such as China and India.
The initiative also makes it possible to sanction financial entities and other actors who help Russia circumvent US restrictions, in addition to extending certain financial sanctions against Iran.