US, EU Add New Sanctions on Russia for Ukraine War Anniversary and Navalny’s Death

On the eve of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States and the European Union have announced a new round of sanctions against Russia. This move comes as a response to the recent death of Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of the Kremlin, in a penal colony in the Arctic.

The U.S. Treasury Department is set to implement over 500 new sanctions targeting Russia’s military operations, marking the most significant batch of penalties since the onset of the Ukraine conflict on February 24, 2022. This follows a series of arrests and indictments by the U.S. Justice Department targeting Russian oligarchs and intermediaries involved in illicit financial activities.

Simultaneously, the European Union is imposing sanctions on various foreign firms accused of supplying dual-purpose goods to Russia, which could potentially aid its military efforts against Ukraine. The EU is also sanctioning numerous Russian officials believed to be involved in the illegal deportation and forced military training of Ukrainian children.

President Joe Biden emphasized the global implications of the conflict, stating that failing to hold Putin accountable would embolden further aggression, thereby increasing the costs for the U.S., its NATO allies, and partners globally.

The sanctions are partly aimed at individuals linked to Navalny’s detention, with Biden having met Navalny’s widow and daughter. The sanctions will target Russia’s financial and defense sectors, among others, to intensify the consequences for Putin’s actions both abroad and domestically.

The EU’s sanctions, now in their 13th package, aim to weaken Russia’s military capabilities, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressing a unified commitment to undermining Russia’s war efforts and supporting Ukraine’s defense.

The Russian Foreign Ministry labeled the EU’s sanctions as “illegal” and announced entry bans on some EU citizens providing military support to Ukraine, though it has yet to respond to the U.S. sanctions.

With these new measures, the EU’s sanctions list now includes over 2,000 individuals and entities, including President Vladimir Putin and his close associates. The sanctions extend to companies in several countries, accused of supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex and circumventing trade restrictions.

The focus of some sanctions is on limiting Russia’s access to components vital for unmanned drones, highlighting their importance in the conflict.