Kremlin says new sanctions complicate reviving Russia-US ties

MOSCOW - New sanctions against Russia complicate efforts to restore relations with the US, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview released Sunday.

"Of course, the actions taken this week were an unfriendly move. They truly damaged the prospects for reviving our relations, but this does not mean we should abandon these aspirations," Peskov told journalist of Russia-1 TV channel Pavel Zarubin, commenting on the sanctions.

He added that Russia is interested in building good relations with all countries, including the United States.

The spokesman noted that Putin appreciates Trump's desire to achieve a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, but stressed it "cannot be resolved overnight".

On Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, the two largest Russian oil producers, and called for "an immediate ceasefire", adding that the White House was prepared to take further actions if necessary.

The United States and its allies have imposed multiple rounds of financial and trade sanctions on Russia since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, targeting Russian banks, defense industries and energy exports.