SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In response to the death of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny and ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Biden administration announced plans to impose a fresh round of sanctions on more than 500 targets on Friday, according to a Treasury official.
This move marks the latest effort by the administration to punish Russia amid escalating tensions between the two nations. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan described the new measures as a “substantial package” that will target various elements linked to the Russian defense industry and sources of revenue for the Russian economy.
President Joe Biden teased the sanctions, holding Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible for Navalny’s death. These comments came following a meeting with Navalny’s widow and daughter earlier in the week. Biden has been vocal in condemning Putin, even going as far as to call him “a crazy SOB” during a fundraiser in San Francisco.
In response, the Kremlin criticized Biden’s remarks, calling them a “huge disgrace” for the United States. Despite the ongoing Western sanctions on Moscow since the start of the Ukraine war, the measures have not deterred Putin from pursuing his agenda.
US officials have been working on a new sanctions package on Russia, coordinating with European partners as they adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape. The Biden administration’s latest move underscores the ongoing struggle between Western governments and Russia, as they seek to find effective ways to address escalating tensions and deter further aggression.