Russia called the new US sanctions cynical interference

“The new illegal restrictions are another brazen and cynical attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation,” Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s envoy to the United States, told state news agencies.

The United States on Friday imposed new sanctions on more than 500 entities linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the White House said.

The Treasury Department announced the planned introduction of sanctions on Thursday.

The sanctions hit “Russia, its enablers and its war machine,” a Treasury Department spokesman told AFP.

The official added that sanctions will be applied by both the Treasury Department and the State Department.

It is “the largest amount since (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s invasion of Ukraine began,” the Treasury Department said.

The sanctions were announced on Friday following the death of Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison last week and as the second anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches.

US President Joe Biden previously confirmed plans to impose sanctions, saying they would be “targeted at Putin, who is responsible for his death”.

On Friday, Mr. Biden said the new sanctions would make Mr. Putin pay an “even higher price” for the war in Ukraine and Navalny’s death in prison.

“They will ensure that Putin pays an even greater price for his aggression abroad and repression at home,” Biden said in a statement.

According to him, these sanctions will be applied to individuals involved in A. Navalny’s imprisonment, as well as to Russia’s financial sector, defense industrial base, public procurement networks and sanctions evaders around the world.

“In addition, we are imposing new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities that provide covert support to the Russian war machine.” “We are taking steps to further reduce Russia’s energy revenues,” he said in a statement. “I also instructed my team to strengthen support for civil society, independent media and those who fight for democracy around the world.”

Since February 2022, when Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine, Washington and its allies have imposed a series of sanctions targeting Moscow’s revenues and military-industrial complex.