21-2-2024 (WASHINGTON) President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that the United States is set to reveal a substantial package of sanctions against Russia on Friday (Feb 16). This decision comes in the wake of the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the ongoing two-year conflict in Ukraine.
Departing on a trip to California, President Biden refrained from providing specific details about the upcoming sanctions. However, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan clarified that the sanctions would encompass a broad spectrum, targeting Russia’s defence and industrial bases, as well as crucial sources of revenue for its economy.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that the sanctions package aims to “hold Russia accountable for what happened to Navalny” and address its actions throughout the course of the Ukraine war. A senior US official revealed that plans for a sanctions package in commemoration of the war’s second anniversary were already underway. However, in light of Navalny’s recent death, Washington intends to reevaluate and enhance the existing sanctions.
Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, is currently engaged in discussions over sanctions related to Navalny’s death during his trip to Europe this week, according to sources familiar with the matter. Nelson’s visits to Germany, Belgium, and France ahead of the second anniversary of the Ukraine war also involve deliberations on Washington’s authority to target those funding Russia’s war production efforts, even if they are located in third countries.
The Treasury underscored the United States’ commitment to aggressively pursue those attempting to evade sanctions. The US has already issued a comprehensive array of sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022, targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials, and banks.
Previously, Washington imposed sanctions over the 2020 poisoning and imprisonment of Navalny, specifically targeting individuals linked to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and other officials. Navalny, a prominent domestic critic of Putin, tragically fell unconscious and died suddenly on Friday while serving a three-decade sentence at the “Polar Wolf” penal colony above the Arctic Circle, according to the prison service.
In a conference call with reporters, Kirby highlighted the US’s call for “complete transparency” from Russia regarding the circumstances of Navalny’s death. President Biden has squarely blamed Putin, asserting that regardless of the narrative the Russian government presents, it’s evident that President Putin and his government bear responsibility for Navalny’s demise. The US embassy in Moscow is actively seeking more information, but Kirby acknowledged the difficulty in establishing confidence in the Russian account of Navalny’s death.
