Russia expanded its sanctions against the United States and targeted US first lady Jill Biden and her daughter on Tuesday amid Biden’s intervention in the middle of the Ukraine-Russian crisis.
In the declaration, it was written that the new sanctions target the first lady and first daughter, Ashley Biden, as well as 23 others, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
According to Russia’s foreign ministry, the recent sanctions were in response to the “ever-expanding U.S. sanctions against Russian political and public figures.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine this year, the U.S. and allies have imposed heavy and crippling sanctions against the country to strangle its economy and squeeze its people’s pockets.
The American sanctions have also targeted Putin and his family as well as his team of oligarchs, seizing Russian-owned assets across the globe.
“Russia’s elites, up to and including President Putin, rely on complex support networks to hide, move, and maintain their wealth and luxury assets. Today’s action demonstrates that the Treasury can and will go after those responsible for shielding and maintaining these ill-gotten interests.” Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in an official statement.
In addition, the Western sanctions have also forced many international companies from different countries to pull out of Russia, including Marriott hotels that operated in Russia for 25 years.
“We have come to the view that newly announced US, UK and EU restrictions will make it impossible for Marriott to continue to operate or franchise hotels in the Russian market. We have therefore made the decision to suspend all Marriott International operations in Russia.” The company’s statement read.
“The process to suspend operations in a market where Marriott has operated for 25 years is complex,” the company added.
In an analysis released by Yale University, it was revealed that almost 1,000 companies have pulled out while some have limited operations in Russia since the country began its invasion of Ukraine in February.
Early May, President Biden and other G-7 leaders reportedly met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and promised to phase out their dependence on Russian oil.
“We will ensure that we do so in a timely and orderly fashion, and in ways that provide time for the world to secure alternative supplies,” the leaders of the U.S., Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan claimed in a joint statement.
“Today, I spoke with G7 Leaders and President Zelenskyy about our ironclad unity and commitment to keep strengthening Ukraine and ratcheting up the pain on Putin.” Biden announced.
