The United States has unveiled a new set of over 500 sanctions targeting Russia in response to its continued aggression in Ukraine and the demise of dissident Alexei Navalny. These sanctions are directed at key sectors, including Russia’s primary card payment system, various financial and military bodies, and figures implicated in Navalny’s detention.
Concurrently, the European Union has imposed restrictions on the transfer of military technology to Russia. These actions come exactly one week after the unexpected passing of Navalny in a prison within the Arctic Circle.
In a significant move, US President Joe Biden, following a meeting with Navalny’s family in San Francisco, has pointedly attributed the responsibility for Navalny’s death to the Russian leadership.
The fresh sanctions from the US also encompass close to 100 companies and individuals, imposing export limitations on them. Moreover, they affect the state-run entity managing Mir, Russia’s principal payment system, which gained prominence after Visa and Mastercard ceased their operations in the country.
The sanctions extend to entities engaged in bolstering Russia’s military endeavors, advancing its future energy projects, and collaborating with Iran on drone technology.
Additionally, sanctions have been placed on over two dozen entities located outside Russia, including in nations such as China, the UAE, Vietnam, and Liechtenstein. These entities are accused of facilitating the supply of materials to the Russian military apparatus.
Despite these measures, the impact on Russia’s economy might be minimal. Russia, already bearing the title of the most sanctioned country globally, has seen its key sectors and entities extensively targeted by previous US and European sanctions.
Russian financial institutions and military-industrial complexes have adapted by devising strategies to circumvent these sanctions. Ukrainian authorities have disclosed the discovery of Western technology, including microchips, in captured Russian drones, indicating that Russia continues to procure such components via third countries, including China.
President Biden has expressed that the latest sanctions are intended to impose a more severe cost on Russian President Vladimir Putin for his international aggression and domestic suppression.
With this latest round, the total number of sanctioned entities surpasses 4,000, coinciding with the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale incursion into Ukraine.
John Kirby, National Security Council spokesperson, hinted at future actions against Russia, emphasizing the need for collaboration with international allies and additional legal powers from Congress.
The EU’s 13th package of sanctions also came into effect, targeting entities aiding Russia’s arms procurement and alleged involvement in abducting Ukrainian children, a claim Russia refutes.
Russia, in retaliation, expanded its ban list for EU officials and politicians. Despite these ongoing sanctions, Mr. Putin lauds the resilience of the Russian economy, underscoring its growth amidst the sanctions.