MOSCOW – New US sanctions against Russia sent a signal to Ukraine not to engage in negotiations, said Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov.

On Friday, US authorities banned the import of aluminum, copper, and nickel from Russia. The United States and Britain also restricted the use of Russian-origin aluminum, copper, and nickel on global metal exchanges and over-the-counter derivative transactions.

In response to questions from journalists, Antonov said that the new sanctions were a clear indication to Kyiv not to engage in any negotiations, even if it leads to casualties on the front lines.

As a result, the London Metal Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange will no longer be able to replenish their stocks of aluminum, copper, and nickel from Russian supplies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed readiness for dialogue with Ukraine and deemed an aborted 2022 peace deal as the basis for resuming the negotiations, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday.