Republicans push new tougher sanctions

Republican lawmakers in Washington are advancing a new bill that aims to impose some of the most stringent sanctions yet on any nation that continues to engage economically with Russia.

U.S. officials have signaled that Iran could soon be added to the list of countries facing sanctions under this legislation, adding another layer of pressure on both Moscow and its allies.

President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters in Florida, confirmed that the bill is moving forward and expressed his full support for its provisions. The proposed sanctions would target any country doing business with Russia, with the potential inclusion of Iran in the mix.

Trump said:
"Well, I hear they're doing that, and that's okay with me. They're passing legislation or putting the Republicans are putting in legislation that’s very tough. It’s sanctioning, et cetera, et cetera, on any country doing business with Russia. They may add Iran to that, as you know. I suggested it. So, any country that does business with Russia will be very severely sanctioned. We may add Iran to the formula."

The push for this new round of sanctions comes as the Trump administration is preparing to enforce new measures targeting Russia’s energy sector. The sanctions will specifically focus on Russian oil companies, including Lukoil and state-owned Rosneft, and are set to take effect on November 21.

Additionally, the United States has imposed tariffs on Indian goods, as New Delhi continues to purchase Russian oil. The new duties on Indian imports have been raised to 50 percent, a significant increase that aims to increase pressure on nations that are still doing business with Russia.

Despite the growing pressure, Russia has dismissed the impact of these sanctions. President Vladimir Putin recently stated that the sanctions would not significantly affect Russia’s economy. He also cautioned that any disruption to global oil supplies could ultimately harm Washington as well.

As the geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, it remains to be seen whether these tough measures will have the desired effect in altering Russia’s economic relations and its global alliances.

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