New U.S. sanctions against Russian institutions and certain citizens

The U.S. Treasury Department announced in a statement Thursday that it has imposed sanctions on 18 entities and more than 40 Russian individuals as part of a new package of measures targeting Russia’s financial sector.

The sanctions targeted Russia’s deputy prime minister, the head of the self-proclaimed Kherson region and the banks VTB and Rosbank. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced last week that Brussels would impose sanctions on three Russian banks and 200 individuals and entities as part of its ninth sanctions package against Moscow.

Also recently, the European Union, G7 countries and Australia set a new price ceiling on Russian oil and set it at $60 per barrel. The purpose of this price ceiling is to reduce Russia’s ability to finance attacks on Ukraine.

With the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, European and American authorities imposed sanctions packages against Russia in various political and economic dimensions, the purpose of this action was to paralyze Russia in the economic dimension and to put pressure on this country.

The U.S. government plans to provide Ukraine with electronic equipment needed to convert conventional munitions into “smart” ones. According to AAA news agency, U.S. National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby reported that the country has sent a NASAMS air defense system to Ukraine to help improve its air defense capabilities. It also plans to supply Ukraine with the Avenger short-range air defense system, which uses Stinger missiles. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the U.S. has provided about $19.1 billion in military and security assistance to Kiev. U.S. lawmakers on Thursday agreed to give Ukraine at least another $800 million in security assistance next year.

Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Washington warned in a statement Wednesday that if the United States sends its Patriot missile systems to Kiev, it would be another provocation that could lead to unpredictable consequences.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov also warned the U.S. of sending Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine on Wednesday and said Russia would be allowed to confront them if those systems entered the country. Since the war in Ukraine began on Feb. 24, Western countries have refrained from direct military intervention in the war, but have supplied Ukraine with weapons, ammunition and fuel. Russia has repeatedly stated that sending Western weapons will only prolong the conflict.