Russia says new US sanctions bill “does America a disservice”

Russia has criticised a proposed US sanctions bill targeting Moscow, saying it “does America a disservice” and warning it could have adverse consequences for the United States itself.

In an official statement, Russian authorities said the legislation, described as being introduced “in honour of the late Senator Graham,” was intended to make anti-Russian sanctions even more “hellish,” despite what it called the failure of both previous and current US administrations to “crush” the Russian economy.

“The bill in honour of the late Senator Graham aimed to make anti-Russian sanctions even more ‘hellish’, despite the epic failure of the previous and current U.S. administrations to ‘crush’ the Russian economy, which is well and not in tatters, is doing America a disservice,” the statement said.

Moscow argued that the Russian economy remains resilient, rejecting claims that sanctions have significantly weakened it.

The statement also warned that additional sanctions could backfire on the United States, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic pressures.

“Given growing instability in the Persian Gulf and war with Iran, with a looming energy crisis and prices going up at gas stations right on the eve of midterm elections, sanctioning Russia and its trade partners in order to block Moscow’s natural resources exports would be highly counterproductive for the U.S. itself,” it said.

Russian officials added that policymakers in Washington should carefully consider the broader implications of further sanctions.

“This is something worth thinking about instead of thoughtless sabre-rattling,” the statement said.

By Tamilla Hasanova