Psaki: Biden Administration to Personally Sanction Putin Over Ukraine Conflict

The Epoch Times Header

The Biden administration will sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and other top officials in response to Russiaโ€™s invasion of Ukraine, said White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Friday.

Earlier, the European Union and the United Kingdom announced that they, too, would sanction Putin, Lavrov, and several top officials. Other world leaders who have been personally sanctioned by the U.S. include Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

As sanctioning a world leader is a rare step, Putin will likely see it as a provocation. However, as some media analysts noted, Putin does not hold significant wealth abroad.

โ€œThe presidentโ€™s strong view and strong principle from the beginning of this conflict โ€ฆ has been to take action in steps in alignment with our European partners and this is evidence of that,โ€ Psaki said Friday when asked about why the administration is now choosing to sanction Russiaโ€™s top leaders.

A Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, told Russian state media outlets that relations between the West and Russia have โ€œapproached the lineโ€ that marks the point of no return.

Ukraineโ€™s Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, told reporters on Friday that sanctions against Putin โ€œwould be the right thingโ€ to do. โ€œI was very happy to see the sanctions against major Russian banks. I was very happy to see their export controls, I was very happy to see the personal sanctions,โ€ she added.

Previously, the United States announced sanctions against some of Russiaโ€™s largest banks, Russian sovereign debt, and elite members of Russian society. Analysts have noted that itโ€™s not clear how much can be accomplished by the sanctions.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden said Putinโ€™s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a โ€œcomplete ruptureโ€ in U.S.-Russia relations. โ€œPutin will be a pariah on the international stage,โ€ Biden remarked, adding that assault marked a โ€œdangerousโ€ moment for Europe and the rest of the world.

But in January, Russia warned that it would cut ties entirely with the United States if Putin was sanctioned. It came as Russia started to amass more and more troops along its borders with Ukraine.

โ€œThe imposition of sanctions against the head of state and against the head of Russia, I repeat once again, is an outrageous measure that is comparable to a break in relations,โ€ Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at the time.

On Friday, Putin released an address urging Ukraineโ€™s military to overthrow their political leaders and negotiate peace, while Kyiv officials told citizens to defend the capital.

Byย Jack Phillips

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Beyond the Trump-Musk fallout?

We are witnessing an unprecedented, unhinged Democrat effort to use lawfare, big Democrat donors, street theater, congressional disruptions, potty-mouth videos, the administrative state, the legacy media, and discredited pollsters to stop the Trump agenda.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

News

Supreme Court Sides With DOGE in Social Security, Records Cases

The Supreme Court handed DOGE two big wins late on June 6 in its effort to reduce the size of the federal government.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to US to Face Criminal Charges

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, is on his way back to the US, where he will face criminal charges for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGEโ€™s Future Amid Muskโ€“Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGEโ€™s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmartโ€™s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.

Tax Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing

Itโ€™s not always beneficial to itemize. With IRSโ€™s current standard deduction for 2025 most Americans who canโ€™t itemize go with standard deduction.
spot_img

Related Articles