Russia Retaliates, Bans Obama, 499 US Citizens Over US Sanctions
Russia’s foreign ministry announced on Friday that it will ban approximately 500 US citizens, including former President Barack Obama, in response to the latest round of sanctions announced by Washington.
The ministry also revealed that Russia refused the latest US request for consular access to detained Wall Street Journal reporter, Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in March on suspicion of spying.
This move by the Russian government was triggered by the US government’s refusal last month to give visas to media personnel travelling with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, to the UN.
The foreign ministry warned that a hostile attack on Russia will not go unpunished.
The United States announced punitive measures against more than 300 targets on Friday, seeking to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and increasing one of the harshest sanctions efforts ever implemented.
The US treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, said that “Today’s actions will further tighten the vice on Putin’s ability to wage his barbaric invasion and will advance our global efforts to cut off Russian attempts to evade sanctions.”
The Treasury Department said that it imposed sanctions on 22 people and 104 entities, including companies that import, ship or manufacture electronics components, semiconductors and microelectronics to Russia.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, stated that Friday’s action targeted an international network that procures components for the Russia-based entity accountable for the manufacture of the Orlan drone, which Russian forces and their associates are using in Ukraine.
Sanctions were also imposed on Russian intelligence services procurement networks and agents, including those in Liechtenstein and the Netherlands.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation was also hit with sanctions.
Additionally, the Treasury Department said that it was imposing sanctions on Russia’s energy education and research institutions to limit Russia’s future extractive capabilities.
The decision by Russia to ban more than 500 US citizens, including Mr Obama, could be seen as a step up in the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
It can be recalled that Mr Obama imposed similar sanctions against Russia in response to alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election.
