Russian Embassy warns of fallout from new US sanctions bill

The Russian Embassy in Washington has warned that a new U.S. bill imposing sanctions on Russia could create additional difficulties for the administration of President Donald Trump ahead of the U.S. midterm congressional elections, RBC reported.

“Russophobic instinct underlying the late Senator Graham’s bill approved by the House on September 16th (and earlier by the Senate) makes a grand disservice to the current Administration’s efforts to Make America Great Again,” the embassy said in a statement.

The diplomatic mission said the legislation would increase sanctions pressure on Russia’s energy and defence sectors and provide for the possibility of imposing tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian energy resources.

The bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 16 and sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.

According to the Russian embassy, restrictions on trade in Russian oil and gas amid supply shortages from the Middle East could destabilise energy markets and push up gasoline prices in the United States.

The embassy also warned that an escalation of tensions among the United States, Russia and China could have negative geopolitical consequences.

On September 16, the House of Representatives approved the bill, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, by a majority vote. The legislation calls for sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia, as well as the largest purchasers of its energy resources.

A total of 262 members of the House voted in favour of the bill, while 159 voted against it and 12 abstained. A simple majority of members present and voting, provided a quorum was established, was required for passage.

The Senate had previously approved the same bill on August 7 by a vote of 86-11. The legislation must now be sent to Trump for his signature.

By Tamilla Hasanova