United States United Kingdom imposes new sanctions on Russia to mark 2-year-old Ukraine invasion
In a collective and coordinated Western effort against Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom have announced new sanctions ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the latest development, Washington will impose sanctions on 500 targets while Britain tries to reduce Russian President Vladimir Putin’s weapons arsenal.
Deputy US Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said on Thursday that the United States is set to impose sanctions on more than 500 targets on Friday. He told Reuters in an interview on Thursday that the sanctions mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to Reuters, Adeyemo said the action, carried out in partnership with other countries, would target Russia’s military industrial complex and companies in third countries that facilitate Russia’s access to the goods it wants. Adeyemo’s comments come as Washington seeks to hold Russia accountable for the war and the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
“Tomorrow we will be lifting hundreds of sanctions here in the United States, but it’s important to step back and remember that it’s not just the United States that is taking these actions,” Adeyemo told Reuters. The new sanctions announced by the US would be the latest of thousands of sanctions targeting Russia announced by Russia and its allies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which killed more than a thousand people and destroyed cities.
The latest set of penalties comes as the US and its allies seek to keep up pressure on Moscow, despite doubts over whether the US Congress will approve additional security assistance to Kiev.
According to Reuters, the US government has exhausted funds approved for Ukraine, and a request for more funds is pending in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. “Sanctions and export controls are geared towards slowing down Russia, making it harder for them to fight the war of their choice in Ukraine,” Adeyemo said, quoted by Reuters.
“But ultimately, to give Ukraine momentum, to give them the ability to defend themselves, Congress needs to take action to give Ukraine the resources and weapons they need.” According to experts, the sanctions are not enough to stop Moscow’s attacks.
“What Congress does to provide additional military aid to Ukraine is going to matter more than anything they can do on the sanctions front,” former National Security Council official Peter Harrell was quoted as saying by Reuters. “
Britain’s sanctions against Russia
The United Kingdom announced a new package of sanctions against Russia on Thursday. The package, covering more than 50 individuals and entities, was announced two days before the second anniversary of the full-scale attack.
“Our international economic pressure means Russia cannot tolerate this illegal aggression,” Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in a statement quoted by Reuters. “Our sanctions are depriving Putin of the resources he needs to finance his ongoing war.” There is a dire need for.”
On Wednesday, the EU approved its own package of sanctions, imposing sanctions on nearly 200 entities and individuals accused of helping Moscow buy arms or being involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children, Reuters reports.