US studying tougher Russia sanctions law — Trump

UNITED NATIONS, September 22. /TASS/. The US presidential administration is studying the possibility of using a law tightening sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil and gas exports, dubbed "hell sanctions" in the media, US leader Donald Trump said while answering reporters' questions ahead of a meeting with Vladimir Zelensky on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

"That's something we're certainly studying. It's a very severe bill," Trump said when asked about the possibility of applying the law.

Asked whether he intended to raise the issue of possible secondary sanctions against Russia's trading partners at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump replied: "Probably." "We're going to talk about a lot. It's going to be a great meeting, and we're going to have a look," he added.

On September 18, Trump signed into law legislation passed by the US Congress to tighten sanctions on Russia. The legislation was principally authored by US Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11. It provides for sanctions against Russia's senior political and military leadership and state-owned companies, as well as secondary restrictions against Russia's trading partners. Under the legislation, the United States may impose 100% tariffs on countries that are major purchasers of Russian oil and gas. It also provides for tougher sanctions on Iran.