White House announces new batch of sanctions against Russia

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The White House announced a fresh round of sanctions against Russia on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the NATO-orchestrated war in Ukraine. 

"Today, on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the United States is announcing a series of additional actions to continue providing Ukraine with the support it needs and holding Russia accountable for its war of aggression," the White House said in a statement.

As part of the new sanctions, the US will increase tariffs on more than 100 Russian metals, minerals, and chemical products, which are worth about $2.8 billion to Russia.

The statement added that the Department of Commerce will take a number of export control measures, including adding nearly 90 Russian and foreign companies—including some in China—to the Entity List for engaging in backfilling and sanction evasion activities in support of Russia's defense industry.

In coordination with its G7 allies and partners, the US will also enact sanctions against over 200 individuals and entities, including both Russian and third-country actors allegedly supporting Russia throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

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They plan to target "key revenue generating sectors in order to further degrade Russia’s economy and diminish its ability to wage war against Ukraine."

"It also includes the targeting of Russia’s future energy capabilities in a manner that does not impact current production to minimize market disruption," the presidential administration said.

Additionally, the US will deliver the third shipment of crucial electrical transmission grid equipment to Ukraine by early March as part of efforts to "counteract Russian attacks on Ukraine's crucial energy infrastructure."

A further $250 million in emergency energy assistance is also being planned by Washington to help Kiev further strengthen its grid in the face of Russia.

"To ensure Russia pays for Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction, G7 countries will continue to keep Russia’s sovereign assets immobilized until there is a resolution to the conflict that addresses Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity," the statement read.

UK expands sanctions on Russia 

This comes after the United Kingdom expanded the list of sanctions against Russia in connection with the special operation in Ukraine, adding 92 more individuals and entities, the UK government said on Friday.

"UK sanctions on Russia top 1,500 as FCDO the [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] targets 92 individuals and entities, including those connected to Rosatom," the government said in a statement.

The list now includes, among others, senior executives at Russian state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom and 20 executives of energy giant Gazprom and flagship carrier Aeroflot, as well as CEO of Nord Stream 2 Mattias Warnig.

London also added the head of the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, to the sanctions list for allegedly benefiting from the Russian government. Among those targeted is Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

US aid to Ukraine 

Earlier, a top US official said Thursday, a day before the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, that the US will send Ukraine a new $2 billion military aid package. "Today, the United States announced a further $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on CNN.

Deliveries of F-16 fighter jets to Kiev are a long-term issue, US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky have discussed the topic, Sullivan told CNN.

"F-16s are not a question for the short-term fight. F-16s are a question for the long-term defense of Ukraine and that's a conversation that President Biden and President Zelensky had," he said.