US sanctions against Russia and Russian retaliation
By: Fatima Diallo
On Thursday April 15th, President Biden imposed a set of sanctions against Russia, targeting more than three dozen individuals and entities. This was because they allegedly interfered in the 2020 election and led a large-scale cyber attack called "SolarWinds" against the U.S. government, among other offenses, including illegal occupation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and human rights abuses. The Biden administration plans to expel 10 Russian diplomats from the U.S. and prohibit U.S. financial institutions from conducting transactions in the primary market for new ruble or non-ruble denominated bonds issued after June 14. In accordance with his campaign promise to take a stronger stance on foreign policy, President Biden also signed an executive order that allows Washington to sanction any sector of Moscow's economy, which broadens financial impact. These sanctions add to many that already exist, including those placed by the Obama administration in retaliation to the 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea.
Russian President Vladimir Putin denies all allegations and in retaliation, is also enacting sanctions. A day after President Biden announced his plan, Russian foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia will expel 10 US diplomats and consider measures against US businesses. The Russian foreign ministry vows to not back down from retaliation, warning that these actions are “just a part of the possibilities at our disposal.” President Biden has expressed similar sentiments and has emphasized to President Putin, even in his recent address to Congress, that “while we don’t seek escalation, their actions have consequences.” This rise in tension comes as Russia has recently increased their military forces on Ukraine’s border in the past few weeks, sparking fear of a possible Ukraine invasion and Western alliance military actions against Russia. Though Russia is now pulling back thousands of troops from Ukraine, with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu explaining they were on military exercise, the enduring tension between Russia and the US is far from relieved. In a call with President Putin earlier this month, President Biden proposed a summit meeting in a third country in the coming months to further discuss issues between the two countries, in an attempt to build a more stable relationship with Russia.