MOSCOW, Nov 22 (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Friday said

that new U.S. sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank were an attempt

by Washington to hinder the export of Russian gas, but said a

solution would be found.

Washington imposed new sanctions on Gazprombank on Thursday

that prevent the lender from handling any new energy-related

transactions that touch the U.S. financial system, ban its trade

with Americans and freeze its U.S. assets.

Gazprombank is one of Russia's largest banks and is

partially owned by Kremlin-owned gas company Gazprom.

Ukraine has been urging the U.S. to impose more sanctions on the

bank, which receives payments for natural gas from Gazprom's

customers in Europe.

Asked whether the sanctions were an effort to stop European

buyers still wanting Russian gas from buying it and whether

Russia would fight for the right to supply gas to them, Kremlin

spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The answer to both parts of your

question is yes."

Peskov said he could not yet answer questions on where

future gas payments would be directed and whether Gazprombank

would continue to maintain the accounts of foreign gas buyers.

"Of course, options will be found," he said. "Complete

blocking measures against a country like Russia are impossible.

It may take some time for this, but a solution will still be

found."