Russian top official: US responds only to "direct military deterrence"

The US responds only to the language of direct military deterrence, and this should be used in response to measures such as a new US law tightening sanctions against Russia, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has said on Telegram.

“They only understand brute force,” Medvedev noted.

“Across the Atlantic they also hear only the language of direct military deterrence, and that is how one should respond to Russophobic abominations such as the Graham Act,” Medvedev wrote.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump signed into law the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s “sanctions from hell” bill, expanding sanctions on Russia and Iran, giving the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas. 

The legislation authorises additional sanctions, tariffs and restrictions targeting Russia while extending existing sanctions on Iran.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the signing and thanked Trump, senators and members of the House of Representatives for supporting the bill.

By Aghakazim Guliyev