Kremlin: Trump's Sanctions Hinder the Peace Process in Ukraine

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The Kremlin criticized the new U.S. sanctions on Russia on Monday, considering that President Donald Trump's signing of them will not help restore relations between Moscow and Washington or advance efforts to reach a settlement for the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin stated that Moscow has managed to find ways to mitigate the impact of U.S. sanctions, affirming that it is in constant contact with its trade partners, and that these partners have informed it, according to its account, that they do not accept U.S. sanctions policy.

The Russian stance came after Trump signed on September 18 the "Lindsey O. Graham Act to Sanction Russia and Iran for 2026," which expands sanctions, fees, and legal restrictions imposed on Russia. The Trump administration had stated during the discussion of the law that its tools aim to increase pressure on Moscow and push it towards accepting terms to end the war, which the Kremlin's reading of the impact of the sanctions opposes.

The Kremlin believes that tightening economic pressures on Russia will negatively affect the course of relations with the United States and will not contribute to making progress towards a settlement of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The new sanctions come at a time when Moscow and Washington are still at odds over the terms for ending the war, amid diplomatic efforts that have yet to lead to a final agreement.

The White House had confirmed upon signing the law that it expands sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, in the latest American step to increase economic pressure on it.

In response, the Kremlin confirmed that it is working with its trade partners to mitigate the impact of the American measures, noting that Russia has developed mechanisms over the past years to deal with the imposed restrictions.

In another matter, the Kremlin rejected statements accusing Russia of threatening Europe, describing them as "false and unacceptable."

It also addressed Germany, considering that a large part of the problems it faces is due, according to the Russian position, to Berlin's cessation of purchasing low-priced Russian gas and its shift towards more expensive sources, primarily gas coming from the United States.

The Kremlin also commented on the results of the German elections and the rise of the far right, stating that Moscow observes a decline in the popularity of the current authorities there, without this changing the intensity of the existing disputes between Russia and Germany regarding the war in Ukraine.

These Russian statements come days after Trump signed the new law, which grants Washington additional tools to tighten pressure on Moscow, while Russia insists that sanctions will not advance the peace process and that it has managed to mitigate some of the effects of Western restrictions on its economy.