‘Will ensure Vladimir Putin pays steeper price for…’: Joe Biden slaps 500 sanctions for Alexei Navalny's death

US President Joe Biden on Friday imposed more than 500 sanctions against Russia over the custodial death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny

United States President Joe Biden on Friday announced nearly 500 new sanctions against Russia over its continued invasion of Ukraine and in response to the custodial death of Vladimir Putin's vocal critic Alexei Navalny.

The sanctions will target people linked to Navalny's imprisonment and Russia's war machine, said President Joe Biden on Friday. The fresh tranche of curbs against Russia has come on the second anniversary of the Ukraine invasion and has been described by the Treasury Department as the largest single tranche since the start of the war.

Apart from targetting individuals linked to Navalny's imprisonment, Washington's fresh set of sanctions on the Kremlin is likely to focus on its financial sector, defence industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents, said Joe Biden.

"They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home," Biden said in a statement.

"We are also imposing new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing backdoor support for Russia's war machine," he said.

Biden attacks Putin on Navalny's death

Joe Biden on Friday declared that he considers Putin responsible for the death of Navalny, 47, who barely survived a 2020 poisoning he blamed on government agents. He had met privately in California with Navalny's widow and daughter, Biden said on Thursday.

After meeting with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya, Biden said that Navalny was “a man of incredible courage." The death of Putin's opponent has sparked global criticism with many European governments summoning Russian diplomats to protest the death of Navalny. Moreover, Britain has imposed sanctions on six officials at the remote Siberian penal colony where he died.

Biden urges Congress to fund new military aid to Ukraine

During the announcement of new sanctions, Biden also made a new plea for Congress to fund new military aid to Ukraine. The appeal was made after the US military support to Ukraine dried up due to a political impasse in Congress, with Russia recently scoring a key battlefield gain.

Despite the war with Ukraine, the Russian economy is likely to grow this year, even though at a lower scale as the country adapts and relies on trade with non-Western partners, especially China.

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Joe Biden, the President of the United States, has taken a firm stand against Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, following the death of Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition leader. Biden has announced the imposition of 500 sanctions against Russia as a consequence of Navalny's death. These sanctions are meant to hold Putin accountable for his actions and to deter similar behavior in the future.

Navalny's death has sparked outrage worldwide, with many calling for justice and accountability. Biden's decision to impose such a large number of sanctions reflects the seriousness of the situation and the determination of the United States to stand up for human rights and democracy.

Sanctions are a form of punishment that can have significant economic consequences for the targeted country. By imposing these sanctions, Biden hopes to pressure Putin and the Russian government to change their behavior and respect the rights of their citizens.

Overall, Biden's actions send a strong message to Putin and the world that the United States will not tolerate human rights abuses and will take decisive steps to hold those responsible accountable.

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, has taken a resolute stance in response to the death of Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition figure. In a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden has announced the imposition of 500 sanctions against Russia. These sanctions serve as a robust punitive measure aimed at holding Putin accountable for Navalny's death and deterring future transgressions against human rights.

Navalny's passing has sparked global condemnation and calls for justice. Biden's decision underscores the gravity of the situation and the United States' unwavering commitment to defending human rights and democratic principles. These sanctions, while primarily economic in nature, carry significant weight in signaling to Putin that actions with severe human rights implications will not go unanswered. The move underscores Biden's determination to assert American leadership on the world stage, championing accountability and justice in the face of egregious violations.