On the second anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the United States is set to impose over 500 sanctions on Russia, its enablers, and its war machine. This move by the U.S. comes as a significant response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion and his role in the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The sanctions, which will be rolled out by the Treasury Department and State Department, aim to punish the Kremlin and further weaken Putin’s war machine.
President Joe Biden, after meeting with Navalny’s widow and daughter in San Francisco, expressed his administration’s intention to announce sanctions against Putin. Biden holds Putin responsible for Navalny’s death. The impending sanctions are expected to be the largest single tranche since Putin’s invasion began.
A high-level State Department official described these sanctions as “crushing.” They will target individuals directly involved in Navalny’s death and aim to close the gaps in the existing sanctions regime that Putin has been able to evade. The defense sector in Russia will face significant measures, including entities already sanctioned by the U.S.
Officials familiar with the plans also revealed that the sanctions imposed for Navalny’s death will target those believed to have played a role in his detention and demise. The U.S. has consistently sought to weaken Russia’s military capabilities throughout its war on Ukraine by limiting its access to key technology, reducing the value of its exports, and cutting off its international banking system. However, Russia has managed to sustain its economy through trade with partners like China and India. It has also turned to sourcing weapons from countries such as Iran and North Korea, which are themselves heavily sanctioned by the West.
Victoria Nuland, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, acknowledged that Putin and his associates have found ways to evade sanctions. Therefore, the upcoming package of sanctions will focus heavily on preventing evasion, targeting nodes, networks, and countries that aid in this evasion. Additionally, the banks that support and allow such practices will also face consequences. Nuland hinted at the administration’s intention to impose further penalties tied to Navalny’s death in the future.
In a related development, the United Kingdom announced its own sanctions against six Russian officials, showing international solidarity against Russia’s actions.
As the world marks the second anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the United States’ decisive move to impose more than 500 sanctions demonstrates its commitment to holding Russia accountable for its aggression. These sanctions, targeting the Russian war machine and those involved in Navalny’s death, aim to weaken Putin’s grip and prevent further evasion of international measures. The U.S. recognizes the importance of closing the gaps in the existing sanctions regime and preventing countries and networks from aiding Russia’s evasion strategies. With the UK also imposing its own sanctions, it becomes evident that international pressure against Russia is mounting. As time goes on, we can expect to see more sanctions directed at individuals directly responsible for Navalny’s death. The U.S. and its allies are sending a clear message: Russia’s actions will not go unanswered.
