Ukraine war second anniversary: US to impose tougher sanctions on over 500 targets in Russia on Friday

Two years on and there is no end in sight for the Russia-Ukraine war. In action marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States has partnered with other countries to impose sanctions on over 500 targets on Friday.

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” against Ukraine.

“On Friday (February 23), we’ll release hundreds of sanctions just here in the United States, but it’s important to step back and remember that it’s not just America taking these actions,” Deputy US Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.

Targets of US’ new sanctions

Giving out details Adeyemo said the new sanctions come at a time when Washington seeks to hold Russia to account over the war and death of Putin’s vociferous critic and a key opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Adeyemo said the action will target Russia’s military industrial complex and companies in third countries that facilitate Russia’s access to goods it wants.

The package will be the latest of thousands of sanctions targeting Russia announced by the United States and its allies following the former’s invasion of Ukraine, which has killed tens of thousands and destroyed cities.

The latest sanctions come as Washington and its allies continue to put pressure on Russia, despite doubts over whether the US Congress will approve additional security assistance for Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden’s administration has run out of money approved earlier for Ukraine, and has now made a request for additional funds.

“Sanctions and export controls are geared towards slowing Russia down, making it harder for them to fight their war of choice in Ukraine…. But ultimately, in order to speed Ukraine up, to give them the ability to defend themselves, Congress needs to act to give Ukraine the resources that they need and the weapons they need,” Adeyemo said.

Sanctions not enough

Reuters report said experts have warned that the sanctions are not enough to stop Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

“What Congress does to pass additional military assistance to Ukraine is going to matter far, far more than anything else they could do on the sanctions front,” the report quoted Peter Harrell, a former National Security Council official, as saying.

With inputs from Reuters