The western allies are tightening the punitive measures.
(Photo: dpa)
Washington Ahead of Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, the US and other G7 countries are imposing new sanctions on Russia over the war of aggression against Ukraine. This was announced by the White House in Washington on Sunday.
The heads of government of the G7 countries had previously spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a switching conference. According to the US government, the punitive measures are aimed, among other things, at the important Russian energy sector.
The group of seven leading democratic industrial nations includes the NATO states USA, Canada, France, Great Britain, Italy and Germany as well as Japan.
In a joint statement, the G7 states announced further support for Ukraine and condemned Russia. “We are appalled by the massive loss of life, the attack on human rights and the destruction wrought by Russia’s actions in Ukraine.”
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The White House announced that all G7 countries committed on Sunday to phase out or ban imports of Russian oil – the USA itself has already imposed a corresponding import ban.
In Brussels, the EU countries are also negotiating an oil embargo against Russia and other punitive measures. Recently there was still a dispute about exceptions to the import ban for countries such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria. Discussions on this are expected to continue next week.
Sanctions against three television channels
A US official also announced a ban on providing business services to companies or individuals in Russia. Services in the areas of accounting, management, consulting or marketing are affected.
The US would also impose sanctions on three of the main television channels directly or indirectly controlled by President Vladimir Putin’s government: Pervy Kanal. Rossiya-1 and NTV. Advertising orders from the USA should not be placed with these “Kremlin mouthpieces”, nor should US technology be supplied for broadcasting.
The US official said the US would further tighten its export controls to weaken Russia’s war effort. Wood products, industrial engines and clearing vehicles are affected. In addition, sanctions would be imposed on managers of the largest and third largest Russian banks, Sberbank and Gazprombank.
“The message is that if Putin’s invasion continues, there will be no safe haven for the Russian economy.” The other G7 countries announced similar measures on business services and against Russian banks and Russian propaganda and disinformation.
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The White House said: “Our unprecedented sanctions are already taking an immense toll on Russia’s economy.” The export controls would cut Russia off from important technology. “Putin’s war is expected to undo the economic gains of the past 15 years in Russia.”
Two important Russian tank factories stopped work because they lacked foreign components. Almost 1000 companies left Russia. “Putin did not achieve his original military goal of dominating Ukraine – but he managed to make Russia a global pariah.”
Because of the Russian war of aggression, Western countries have already imposed tough sanctions on Russia. Germany currently holds the G7 presidency and is hosting the group’s next summit in Bavaria at the end of June.
More: You can follow the current developments in the Ukraine war in our news blog