US presents new sanctions against Russia and more aid for Ukraine

The United States unveiled new sanctions against Russia, targeting more than 200 individuals and entities, as well as more military and economic aid for Ukraine, in a show of Washington’s commitment to its allies to disrupt Moscow’s ability to sustain its war machine.

As reported by Kyodo News, As part of the sweeping package, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Treasury Department said the scope of its punitive measures has been expanded to include metallurgical and mining companies, in addition to taking new measures against the industries finance, defense and technology of the country.

The targets of the new sanctions, applied in coordination with other Group of Seven (G7) partners, include Russians and others based in more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, according to the White House.

To undermine Russia’s efforts to circumvent existing sanctions, the group of major democratic economies, which includes Britain, Germany and Japan, will establish an “Implementation Coordination Mechanism,” to be led by the United States during the first year, the White House said.

As the United States began disbursing $9.9 billion in grants this week to help Ukraine deliver essential services like health care and education to its people, the White House also said it will extend additional energy aid to the crisis-ravaged country. war.

China’s position on the political resolution of the Ukrainian crisis

The package involves multiple US agencies, and the State Department has begun imposing visa restrictions on 1,219 members of the Russian military.

The Defense Department, for its part, said it would provide Ukraine with more weapons and drones as part of a new $2 billion security aid package.

“Today’s solemn anniversary is an opportunity for all of us who believe in freedom, norms and sovereignty to recommit ourselves to supporting the courageous defenders of Ukraine for the long term, and to remember that what is at stake in Russia’s war goes well beyond Ukraine,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

In the past year, the United States has committed more than $32 billion in security aid to Ukraine, according to the Pentagon.

With no end to the conflict in sight, the latest military aid will come from a fund called the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows Washington to purchase weapons from industry rather than Pentagon stocks.

The aid also includes electronic warfare detection equipment and funding for training, according to the Pentagon. This comes as US officials have warned that Russia could be planning a new offensive around the one-year mark, and that China could be preparing to provide lethal military aid to Moscow.

Austin said “difficult times may be ahead” but that the United States and its allies must remain steadfast in their “commitment to ensuring that a world of rules and rights is not replaced by one of tyranny and turmoil.”