TRIBUNNEWS.COM – Russia has issued sanctions against a number of United States (US) and Canadian officials, including President Joe Biden, Tuesday (15/3/2022).

The imposition of sanctions by Russia marks another escalation of tensions between President Vladimir Putin and the West as Russian military forces continue their invasion of Ukraine.

In recent weeks, the US has issued a number of sanctions against Russia, which include targets on Putin, his inner circle, the Russian oligarchs, the Russian banking sector, as well as technology development.

In retaliation, Russia also issued sanctions targeting a number of US political figures.

According to a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the government added people to a “black list” that barred them from entering Russia.

quote CNNThose blacklisted include Joe Biden, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, CIA Director William Burns, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki , Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh, USAID Director Samantha Power, Deputy Treasury Secretary Adewale Adeyemo, and US Exporters Import Bank President Reta Jo Lewis.

The blacklist also includes other non-governmental individuals, including the President’s son, Hunter Biden, and former US presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Read also: Ukrainian demands on the West, more sanctions for Russia to ask for arms assistance

Read also: Kherson Province in Southern Ukraine Under Russian Military Control

The move is largely symbolic as it seems unlikely that members of the Biden administration will travel to Russia any time soon after the US and its allies move to punish Putin and members of Russia’s elite for invading Ukraine.

Biden and his administration have ruled out the possibility of meeting with Putin and questioned whether he is genuinely interested in a diplomatic solution to the war.

The foreign ministry said the sanctions were a response to sanctions imposed by the US in recent weeks, which were part of a larger Western tactic to counter Russian military action in Ukraine.

The statement referred to the sanctions as:

“The inevitable consequence of the very Russophobia path taken by the current US Government, in a desperate attempt to maintain American hegemony, is relying, throwing all decency, on Russia’s frontal restraints.”

The Russian government suggested more sanctions would follow, with the blacklist expected to be expanded to include “high-ranking US officials, military officials, lawmakers, businessmen, experts and media persons who are Russophobia or contribute to inciting hatred against Russia and the introduction of restrictions.” “

The foreign ministry also said in its statement that the Russian government “does not refuse to maintain official relations if they fulfill our national interests, and, if necessary, we will resolve issues arising from the status of persons appearing on the ‘black list’. to regulate high-level contact.”

Economic Sanctions

White House press secretary Jen Psaki suggested the restrictions would have little impact on their intended targets, telling reporters during Tuesday’s press conference:

“It won’t surprise any of you that none of us are planning a tourist trip to Russia, none of us have bank accounts that we don’t have access to, so we’ll move on.”

When Psaki was asked if the new sanctions signaled an escalation by Russia, Psaki said the US believed officials would have the ability to continue direct and indirect conversations with Russia.

© Drew Angerer / Getty Images / AFP
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily press conference at the White House on April 26, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver his first speech at a joint session of Congress this Wednesday evening. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images / AFP)

The foreign ministry said the sanctions were carried out in coordination with other decisions “to protect the Russian economy and ensure sustainable development.”

Meanwhile, Russia has hinted that it will soon default on its debts.

Half of the country’s foreign exchange reserves, some $315 billion, have been frozen by Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s finance minister Anton Siluanov said on Sunday.

As a result, Moscow will pay creditors from “hostile countries” in rubles until sanctions are lifted, he said.

Credit rating agencies are likely to consider Russia a default if Moscow misses payments or pays debts issued in dollars or euros in other currencies such as the ruble or the Chinese yuan.

A default could push the few remaining foreign investors out of Russia and further isolate the country’s collapsing economy.

Read also: Russian attack in Kyiv kills 4, curfew imposed

Read also: Zelensky Calls Russian Troops in Disarray, Asks them to Surrender

A default could come as early as Wednesday, when Moscow needs to hand over $117 million in interest payments on dollar-denominated government bonds, according to JPMorgan Chase.

Russia has also sought economic and military assistance from China, which kept its distance during the invasion of Ukraine.

But it is unclear whether China intends to help Russia, and both countries have denied that Russia made the request.

Sanctions for Canada

While on Tuesday, Russia also announced it would bar Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand from entering the country, Russia’s Foreign Ministry tweeted on Tuesday.

The foreign ministry announced the restrictions on Canadian officials shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke virtually in Canada’s Parliament.

© Provided by tribunnews.com
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a press conference at Rideau Cottage June 25, 2021 in Ottawa, Canada (Sean Kilpatrick/POOL/AFP)

Russia’s actions come amid several new US sanctions against Russian leaders and the leaders of their allies.

The US sanctioned Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has allied with Russia in its war in Ukraine, as well as a number of other Russians, including a judge for human rights abuses, according to the US Treasury.

In addition, the Biden administration targeted 11 Russian military leaders, some of whom have been involved in suppressing Russian protesters and dissent in occupied areas of Ukraine.

(Tribunnews.com/Yurika)

Another Russia Vs Ukraine article