The White House is set to announce a new round of significant sanctions against Russia in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the recent death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The U.S. is coordinating with European allies to target Russian President Vladimir Putin simultaneously. The European Union has just finalized its own sanctions package, focusing on Russia's drone production, which has seen a notable increase in activity over the past year.
Additionally, the United Kingdom has unveiled its own set of sanctions, targeting six individuals associated with the penal colony where Navalny passed away. President Biden had previously indicated his intention to impose further sanctions on Russia following Navalny's death, with the announcement now scheduled for later this week.
The White House has emphasized that these sanctions were already in the works and were initially planned to coincide with the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which falls tomorrow. The new measures will specifically target Russia's defense industrial base and revenue streams that support its military operations, referred to as the 'war machine' by U.S. officials.
Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, highlighted the comprehensive nature of the upcoming sanctions, describing them as a strategic response to Russia's actions against Navalny, Ukraine, and the broader threat posed to international peace and security. More details on the sanctions are expected to be revealed on Friday.
The Biden administration has a history of aligning its sanctions against Russia with those of key allies, as seen with the EU's latest sanctions package focusing on drone production and the UK's targeting of individuals linked to Navalny's detention facility. In addition to sanctions, the administration is advocating for the passage of a funding bill worth $60 billion to support Ukraine, Israel, and other countries affected by Russian aggression, a measure currently facing delays in Congress.
