US prepares additional sanctions against Russia for this Tuesday

The United States is coordinating new sanctions against Russia with allies after Moscow recognized the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. The movement was accompanied by the sending of “peacekeeping troops” to the region.

The new sanctions will be announced on Tuesday (22), according to information from US government officials. The information was later confirmed by the US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

“Tomorrow, the United States will impose sanctions against Russia for this clear violation of international law and the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine’s territories,” she told reporters after the emergency UN Security Council meeting held on Monday night. thursday (21).

The details of this new round of sanctions or export controls are still unknown. However, according to a White House spokesman, the measures would be direct against Russia. This information corroborates the speech of European leaders.

The European Union said it would react with sanctions “against those involved in this illegal act”. In a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also made it clear that sanctions would be imposed against Russia. “The UK has already prepared sanctions against those who are complicit in the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and these measures come into force tomorrow (22)”, said the prime minister.

In the early hours of Tuesday (22) in Asia, the prime minister of Japan – a key ally of the United States – said that the country is ready to join the sanctions package. “We will coordinate and work with the G7 and the international community to respond, including with sanctions,” said Fumio Kishida.

The Biden administration has been preparing an initial package of sanctions against Russia that includes preventing US financial institutions from processing transactions by major Russian banks.

At the highest level, the sanctions would also include some Russian individuals and companies, putting them on an exclusion list from the US banking system. In addition, trade with Americans would be banned and those sanctioned would have their goods frozen in the United States.

Earlier, a White House official said Vladimir Putin’s move did not trigger the massive sanctions package the US and allies have been working on if Russia invades Ukraine. This mechanism would not have been activated yet because Russia already had troops in the breakaway region of eastern Ukraine.

This Monday (21), the White House announced less severe and more specific sanctions after the actions of Vladimir Putin. President Joe Biden issued an executive order “banning new American investment, trade and financing” for the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine.