The U.S. Treasury announced Friday it has sanctioned additional Russians, including Kremlin elites and political leaders who support Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Why it matters: The new wave of sanctions is part of a larger strategy aimed at crippling the Russian economy and leaders who have enabled Russia’s unprovoked attacks.
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Details: Those targeted include Russian parliamentarians who lobbied for Putin’s recognition of two separatist republics, a Russian Security Council official, family members of Putin’s spokesperson, billionaire Viktor Vekselberg and the management board of the sanctioned VTB Bank.
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The sanctions mean their property and interests in the U.S. are now blocked and must be reported to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
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U.S. transactions involving the individuals are also barred unless authorized by the OFAC.
What they’re saying: “Treasury continues to hold Russian officials to account for enabling Putin’s unjustified and unprovoked war,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.
The big picture: President Joe Biden has also taken action to cut off Russia’s access to the SWIFT international banking system, ban imports of Russian oil, reimpose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and revoke Russia’s “most favored nation” trade status with the U.S.
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