US Imposes Sweeping Sanctions, Visa Restrictions on Russian Military in Response to Aggression
By On Friday, the United States issued a fresh round of sanctions against Russian banks, critical businesses, and persons, as well as third-party individuals suspected of assisting Russia's attempts to evade sanctions. The U.S. plans to announce “sweeping sanctions against key sectors that generate revenue” for Russia, including the country’s banking, defense, and technology industry. In addition, the US Commerce Department will take “several export control actions,” blocking nearly 90 companies, including some in China, from purchasing items like semiconductors or those made with certain U.S. technology.[0]
The Biden administration, in cooperation with the G-7 allies, has announced steps to further restrict the resources and income of the Russian economy which finance the war in Ukraine.[1] Tariffs on Russian imports will be raised by the U.S., and businesses located in China, which have aided Russia in getting around sanctions, will be targeted.[2] The Treasury Department announced new sanctions that target at least twelve Russian banks and the country's mining industry.
On Friday, the Department of Defense declared a $2 billion security assistance package for Ukraine, including additional artillery rounds, munitions for laser-guided rocket systems, and unmanned aerial systems.[3] The State Department sanctioned “those engaged in Russia’s illegitimate control of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP),” and “will take ‘steps to impose visa restrictions on 1,219 members of the Russian military, including officers, for actions that threaten or violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of Ukraine.”
The Department of State is announcing steps to impose visa restrictions on 1,219 members of Russia’s military for actions that threaten or violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of Ukraine pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Additionally, Putin announced that Moscow was suspending its participation in New START—its last remaining arms-control treaty with the United States.[4] For the first time since the 1972 Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I), there are no negotiated limits on Russia's nuclear forces.[4]
The US is taking steps to increase the pressure on Putin and continue to degrade the Russian economy’s ability to fuel continued aggression.
0. “US Treasury takes ‘one of its most significant sanctions actions to date' on anniversary of Russia's war against Ukraine” CNN, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/24/politics/us-treasury-sanctions-russia-ukraine-war/index.html
1. “White House announces additional Russia sanctions, Ukraine aid on anniversary of invasion” The Hill, 24 Feb. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/3872123-white-house-announces-additional-russia-sanctions-ukraine-aid-on-anniversary-of-invasion
2. “U.S. rolls out new aid for Ukraine, sanctions for Russia one year into war” CBS News, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-new-aid-for-ukraine-sanctions-for-russia-one-year
3. “U.S. hits Russia with new sanctions one year after Ukraine invasion” Axios, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/02/24/us-sanctions-russia-ukraine-invasion
4. “Experts react: One year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the US releases new sanctions and China steps in with a …” Atlantic Council, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/one-year-after-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-zelenskyy-biden/
