Putin: New Sanctions USA 'Harmful'

moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that new US sanctions against Russia are putting pressure on relations between the countries. 'I think this is harmful,' said Russian leader according to state press office RIA Novosti.

The US Senate voted on Thursday with new sanctions against Moscow. The sanctions have been targeted among others against Russians who have been guilty of cyber attacks or have supplied weapons to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Putin responded disappointed to the planned measures, which should still be approved by the US House of Representatives. 'This will indeed complicate the relationship between Russia and the US,' he said. The president found it too early to talk about countermeasures.

European countries also responded to the American plans. Germany and Austria fear that the proposed punishment measures could also affect European companies involved in Russian projects, such as the construction of the Nord Stream II gas pipeline.