The United States and European Union heaped new sanctions on Russia on the eve of the second anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine and in retaliation for the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny last week in an Arctic penal colony.
The US government imposed roughly 600 new sanctions on Russia and its war machine in the largest single round of penalties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
The EU added sanctions on several foreign companies over allegations they have exported goods to Russia that could be used in its war.
The bloc also targeted scores of Russian officials, including members of the judiciary, local politicians and people it said were “responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children”.
US president Joe Biden said the sanctions were in response to Russian president Vladimir Putin’s “brutal war of conquest” and to Mr Navalny’s death.
Previous sanctions have increased costs for Russia’s ability to fight in Ukraine but they appear to have done little so far to deter Mr Putin’s aggression or ambitions.
