US Announces New Sanctions Against Oligarchs Making Putin’s War Possible

A week after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, the White House announced Thursday new sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs. Among them are the alleged figurehead of President Vladimir Putin, Alisher Usmanov, and the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov. In all, the State Department bars 19 Russian oligarchs and their relatives from entering the US, while Treasury has blocked the potential assets under US jurisdiction of seven Russian organizations and 26 individuals promoting “disinformation” about the war in Russia. Ukraine. “These individuals have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people, some have managed to get their relatives to occupy high positions,” explains the statement issued by the office of the president of the United States. “Others sit at the top of Russia’s largest companies and are responsible for providing the necessary resources to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. [el presidente ruso, Vladímir] Putin”, the note continues.

In the opinion of the Joe Biden Administration, “these people and their families” should be isolated from the US financial system. “His assets in the United States will be frozen and his properties will not be able to be used.” Washington holds them responsible for making Putin’s war possible. The United States, in coordination with its allies and partners, is aware of the importance of hitting with sanctions the Russian elites—and their relatives—who continue to support President Putin despite his brutal invasion of Ukraine. The European Union reacted immediately, as soon as hostilities began against the former Soviet republic, now independent. The Twenty-seven agreed at an urgent extraordinary summit of heads of state and government on a new battery of sanctions with “serious and enormous consequences” for Moscow.

Washington will sanction an extensive list of “Putin cronies and their relatives.” As an example, the White House puts Alisher Usmanov, one of the richest people in Russia and a close ally of its president. “The use of his properties in the United States will be blocked, including his superyacht, one of the largest in the world, and which has just been seized by our ally Germany, and his jet private, one of the largest private aircraft in Russia.”

Washington also announces a heavy blow to Dmitry Peskov, who, “as Putin’s spokesman, is one of the main purveyors of his propaganda.” The United States will also impose visa restrictions on 19 oligarchs and 47 of their relatives and close associates. “As President Biden said, we will continue to work with our allies and partners to hold accountable the Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who profit from this violent regime.”

For its part, the Treasury Department denounces seven Russian entities for considering them to be elements dedicated to sowing disinformation, such as the SDN Strategic Culture Foundation and its subsidiaries, Odna Rodyna, and others. That same department will name 26 people based in Russia and Ukraine who will play a central role in the aforementioned organizations. “These entities have spread false narratives that promote Russian strategic objectives and falsely justify the activities of the Kremlin,” the Treasury statement said.

“Treasury is committed to holding Russian elites accountable for their support of President Putin’s chosen war,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday. “Today, the US Administration and its partners and allies are demonstrating our commitment to imposing a high price on the men closest to Putin.”

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