24.02.2023
The US on Friday announced new sanctions against Russia, on the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, to reduce Moscow’s access to technology, and presented a new aid package for 2,000 million USD.
The new sanctions, which affect Russian sectors such as banking and the defense industry, will affect “more than 200 individuals and entities, both Russian and from third countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, who support the war efforts of Russia“, according to the White House.
The new sanctions — in addition to multiple previous measures imposed in the last 12 months — will target “a dozen Russian financial institutions, in line with allies and partners, as well as Russian officials and intervening authorities operating illegally in Ukraine“.
The White House said it was targeting Russia’s defense and high-tech sectors, as well as launching measures to thwart attempts to circumvent sanctions already in place.
New aid package for Ukraine
The United States marked this Friday a year of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the announcement of a new $2 billion military aid package, including HIMARS missiles, artillery ammunition and drones.
“The United States will continue to work with its allies to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and its long-term security requirements for as long as necessary,” the Pentagon said today.
In addition, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the war, the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, called for maintaining the commitment to the defense of Ukraine “to ensure that a world of rules and rights is not replaced by one of tyranny and tumult.”
“Despite the Kremlin’s campaign of cruelty, the citizens of Ukraine have shown amazing courage, skill and fortitude,” Austin said in a statement.
Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kiev, where he met his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and announced $500 million in additional aid for the country.
Despite the commitment of the US government, more and more conservative politicians from the Republican party are asking to moderate the outlay for aid to Ukraine.
To date, the country’s Congress has authorized more than $75 billion in humanitarian, economic or security aid, more than any other country in the world.
CP (efe, afp)