- September 24, 2026
‘One More Doesn’t Make Any Difference’: Russian Envoy Says US’ Sanctions Bill Won’t Change Moscow’s Objectives
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US President Donald Trump signed the Russia sanctions bill, giving his administration greater leeway to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow
Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov
Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Thursday delivered a strong response to sanctions imposed by the United States, stating that Moscow has been facing over 30 sanctions and that one more “doesn’t make any sense”.
The remarks came as US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law, giving his administration greater leeway to impose tougher sanctions on Russia and countries that purchase Russian oil and gas.
Addressing the News18 DEFCON 2026, Alipov said: “Russia has been under 30+ sanctions, so one more or one less doesn’t make any difference and the US knows that. These sanctions will not in any way change our objective and the US knows that.”
“For India it makes difference. I’m absolutely sure that this kind of pressure and new acts or sanctions will continue”, he added.
Alipov said Russia is planning to ramp up imports from India as it intends to address what he described as a “huge disbalance” of trade.
“We’ve to increase India exports to Russia since we have huge disbalance of trade and we are addressing these. We’re putting more diversified India exports in our economic dialogue now,” he said.
On India-Russia Ties
The Russian envoy said that Moscow is “very optimistic” about future with India.
“We have been in very diverse and very much sustained relationship between us for almost 80 years. Our relationship encompasses defence, trade, industrial corporation, industrial projects, cultural ties, educational exchanges, migration and labour. We are very optimistic about our future”, he said.
Alipov emphasised that India remains a major defence partner to Russia.
“We have comprehensive economic partnership in place till 2030. Russia remains major defence partner of India.”
India and Russia share cordial relations, deeply rooted in history and cooperation across critical sectors, including defence, energy, technology, space and more.
S Jaishankar Meets Rubio, Raises Concern Over Sanctions
On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and raised concerns over the Russia sanctions bill.
Writing on X, Jaishankar also said that discussions were held on the evolving situation in West Asia.
“Good to meet @SecRubio of the US during #UNHighLevelWeek. Reiterated India’s interests and concerns with regard to SRIA. Also discussed the Gulf and Ukraine situations,” he said.
Quick Answers
Ask News18President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law, which grants his administration increased authority to enact stringent sanctions on Russia and nations purchasing Russian gas and oil.
Ask News18About the Author
A Journalism graduate, Meemansa Shekhawat is a sub-editor at News18. Driven by a keen interest in news, she is a passionate writer with specialisation in national and international affairs. You can re…Read More
September 24, 2026, 13:33 IST
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