U.S. hits Russian lawmakers, defense sector with new sanctions
BNN Bloomberg
The U.S. announced a new package of sanctions on Russian elites, lawmakers and defense companies, punishments designed to ramp up pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. announced a new package of sanctions on Russian elites, lawmakers and defense companies, punishments designed to ramp up pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
The measures announced Thursday during summit meetings between President Joe Biden and NATO, as well as the Group of Seven, will be followed by others to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian oil and gas -- the lifeblood of the nation’s economy, according to senior administration officials.
The U.S. will impose full blocking sanctions on more than 400 individuals and entities, including the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, and 328 of its members, more than a dozen Russian elites and 48 Russian defense companies.
The sanctions will hit Herman Gref, the head of Russia’s Sberbank and an adviser to President Vladimir Putin; Russian billionaire Gennady Timchenko, his companies and his family members; as well as 17 board members of the Russian financial institution Sovcombank.
Among the defense companies being sanctioned are Russian Helicopters, Tactical Missiles Corporation, High Precision Systems, NPK Tekhmash OAO and Kronshtadt, according to the White House.
An agreement with European Union countries to reduce their dependence on Russian energy sources is expected to be announced Friday, according to a senior administration official, who declined to detail the measures. The U.S. and EU are working on an agreement to ensure American natural gas and hydrogen supplies go to European member states in an effort to end its reliance on Russian fuels, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.
