Biden said that Friday’s actions will affect people linked to Navalny’s jailing, as well as the Russian financial sector, defense industry, supply networks and sanctions dodgers on several continents.
On Friday, the US president Joe Biden declared new sanctions on Russia to increase pressure on Moscow as the war in Ukraine marks its second anniversary.
“Biden said at a conference that Putin must face the consequences of his actions that cause death and destruction, or he will continue them.
The president also said in a statement that the US will put new export limits on almost 100 entities that support Russia and take actions to further cut Russia’s energy income.
The actions aim to make Russia accountable for the war and the killing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Biden said, while Washington tries to keep supporting Ukraine even though it has a severe lack of ammunition and US military aid has been stuck in Congress for months.
“The Democratic president said that the sanctions will make Putin pay a higher price for his foreign aggression and domestic repression.
Biden said that Friday’s actions will affect people linked to Navalny’s jailing, as well as the Russian financial sector, defense industry, supply networks and sanctions dodgers on several continents.
The US also added the Russian payment system Mir.
“The Treasury Department said that to deny Russia the resources it needs to sustain its cruel war against Ukraine, the Treasury targets include a key part of the financial infrastructure. The Treasury also targeted more than two dozen sanctions dodgers in other countries.
“US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement that the solemn anniversary (of the invasion of Ukraine) and the death of Alexei Navalny are sad and serious reminders of Putin’s clear disrespect for human life, from the Ukrainians who bear the cost of this unprovoked war to the Russians who dare to reveal the corrupt abuses that power this regime.
The sanctions add to other actions by the US and its allies because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and ruined cities.
“Biden said that two years after the start of this war, the people of Ukraine keep fighting with great bravery. But they are running low on ammunition. Ukraine needs more supplies from the US to resist Russia’s constant attacks, which are helped by weapons and ammunition from Iran and North Korea.
“That’s why the House of Representatives must pass the bipartisan extra national security bill before it’s too late.” he added.
He urged to finish the parliamentary process “before it’s too late”, to give “urgent” funds to Kyiv. “History is watching. He will not forget the fact of not supporting Ukraine at this critical moment,” the president warned.
Biden emphasized that moving forward with the text also improves the security of the US and, on the other hand, rejecting it could end up helping Putin: “It is time to show that the US stands up for freedom and does not bow down to anyone.”
The American president also highlighted that, although Putin may have thought that he could “easily” achieve his goals in Ukraine with an indifferent international community, “NATO is stronger, bigger, and more united than ever” and fifty countries have formed a global coalition to support Kyiv.
