The Kremlin said additional US sanctions against Russia would complicate efforts to reach a peace settlement in Ukraine after the House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026 by 262-159. The Senate approved the legislation 86-11 on August 7, and it now awaits President Donald Trump’s decision. The bill would authorize discretionary tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major countries that continue buying Russian oil or natural gas or help Russia evade energy sanctions. India and China are among the five largest potential targets, although exemptions could apply to certain countries that have reduced Russian gas purchases. The measure also expands sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, family members, banks, other financial institutions and the shadow fleet, while extending the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act by five years. India imported 30.3% of its crude from Russia in FY2026, worth $40.8 billion of total oil imports of $134.7 billion, leaving its exports exposed to potential US tariffs. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the legislation an unfriendly action that would worsen the negotiating environment, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supports stronger sanctions. US-mediated diplomacy remains stalled over Donbas territory, security guarantees and an energy-infrastructure ceasefire. Prediction-market pricing puts the probability of a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire by December 31, 2026, at 22.5% YES.