USA and the European Union imposed new sanctions against Russia on Friday in connection with the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine and in retaliation for the death of the prominent critic Alexei Navalny last week in an Arctic penal colony.
The governments of USA imposed nearly 600 new sanctions on Russia and its war machine in the largest round of sanctions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
For its part, the EU added sanctions on several foreign companies over accusations that they have exported dual-use products to Russia that could be used in its war against Ukraine. The 27-nation bloc also targeted dozens of Russian officials, including members of the judiciary, local politicians and individuals.responsible for the illegal deportation and military reeducation of Ukrainian children”.
US President Joe Biden stated that the sanctions are imposed in response to the “brutal war of conquest” of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the death of Navalnyand added that “we in USA We will continue to ensure that Putin pays a price for his aggression abroad and his repression at home”.
But while previous sanctions have increased the costs to Russia’s ability to fight in Ukraineappear to have done little so far to deter Putin and it is unclear whether this round of sanctions will significantly alter that.
In specific response to the death of Navalnythe US State Department sanctioned three Russian officials who the United States says are linked to his death, including the deputy director of the Federal Penitentiary Service Russiawhom Putin promoted to the rank of colonel general on Monday, three days after the death of Navalny.
The sanctions prohibit officials from traveling to USA and block access to US-owned assets. However, it is unclear how many of the sanctioned officials travel or have assets or family members in the West. If they fail to do so, the sanctions may be largely symbolic.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said: “we hope more” measures related to death of Navalnyand added that “today this is just the beginning”.
The Biden administration is imposing additional sanctions, while House Republicans are blocking billions of dollars in additional aid to Ukraine. The war is becoming entangled in American election-year politics, and former President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about the benefits of the NATO alliance and said he will “encourage” Russia to “do whatever it wants” to countries it wants. In his opinion, they are not contributing their weight to the alliance.
On Friday, Biden asked Congress to approve aid to Ukraine.
“Russia is taking Ukrainian territory for the first time in many monthsBiden said. “But here in the United States, the speaker of the House of Representatives gave the chamber a two-week vacation. They have to come back and do it, because not supporting Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten in history.”.
Many of the U.S. sanctions announced Friday target Russian companies contributing to the Kremlin’s war effort — including drone and industrial chemical manufacturers — as well as financial institutions, such as the state operator of Russia’s Mir National Payments System.
USA He will also impose visa restrictions on Russian authorities who he claims are involved in the kidnapping and confinement of Ukrainian children. Additionally, 26 third-country individuals and companies from China, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates and Liechtenstein are on the sanctions list for helping Russia evade existing financial sanctions.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the EU sanctions are “illegal” and undermine “the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council”. In response, the foreign ministry will ban some EU citizens from entering the country because they have provided military assistance to Ukraine. He did not immediately address US sanctions.
The freezing of assets and the vetoes on obtaining visas are part of the 13th package of measures imposed by Brussels against people and organizations suspected of attacking the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“Today we further tighten the restrictive measures against Russia’s military and defense sector”said Josep Borrell, the bloc’s foreign policy chief. “We remain united in our determination to make a dent in the Russian war machine and to help Ukraine win its legitimate struggle for self-defense”.
In total, 106 more officials and 88 “entities” – which are usually companies, banks, government agencies or other organizations – have been added to the EU sanctions list, which already has more than 2,000 names, including Putin and their loved ones.
Among the 27 entities accused of “directly supporting the Russian military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine” there would be manufacturers of electronic components that, according to the EUcan have military and civil uses, indicated a statement.
These companies — some based in India, Sri Lanka, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Turkey — will face tougher export restrictions. The names of the firms will be revealed when they are published in the official bulletin of the EUwhich should happen in a few days.
According to the bloc, companies “have been implicated in violating trade restrictions” and accuses others of “development, production and supply of electronic components” intended to help the Russian armed forces.
Some of the measures seek to deprive Russia of parts for drones, which military experts say are key in the war.
Source: Gestion
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