On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that Washington would implement over 500 new sanctions targeting Russia, aiming to escalate pressure on Moscow on the second anniversary of its war in Ukraine.
Biden stated that the United States would also impose new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for offering support to Russia, along with taking action to further diminish Russia’s energy revenues.
These measures are designed to hold Russia accountable for its role in the war and the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, as Washington continues to provide support to Ukraine. This support is crucial as Ukraine faces severe shortages of ammunition, and U.S. military aid has been delayed for months in Congress.
Biden emphasized that these sanctions would ensure that Russian President Putin faces an even higher price for his aggressive actions abroad and repressive measures at home.
The sanctions announced on Friday will target individuals associated with Navalny’s imprisonment, as well as Russia’s financial sector, defense industrial base, procurement networks, and sanctions evaders across various continents.
These sanctions add to the thousands of targets previously announced by the United States and its allies since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, which has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction.
Biden highlighted the bravery of the Ukrainian people, who continue to fight courageously two years into the war. However, he stressed that Ukraine is running low on ammunition and urgently requires more supplies from the United States to withstand Russia’s relentless attacks, which are facilitated by arms and ammunition from Iran and North Korea.
Biden urged the House of Representatives to pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill promptly to ensure timely assistance to Ukraine.
