Biden Administration Announces New Sanctions on Russia Following Navalny's Death

The Biden administration declared new sanctions on Russia after the death of dissident Alexei Navalny. These sanctions aim to restrict the energy revenue that supports Putin's war in Ukraine.

Impact and Response

The Treasury Department disclosed that over 500 sanctions will be imposed on Russian companies and individuals. Despite the severity of the sanctions, they have not discouraged Putin from pursuing the war in Ukraine, raising questions about why the U.S. hadn't targeted these firms earlier.

Russia's economy grew last year, outpacing the United States, as it heavily funded the war effort. Navalny's death in prison has sparked belief that he was murdered. President Biden met with his family and blames Putin for the death. The attempt to tighten financial penalties comes at a crucial moment for Ukraine and its allies, as Republicans in Congress oppose Biden's proposed foreign aid package, leaving Ukraine and its allies concerned about potential loss of military and economic support from the U.S.