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The European Union and the United States on Monday placed fresh sanctions on Russia regarding its role in the Ukrainian crisis, with Russia vowing a “painful” response against the measures.
The United States imposed the fresh set of sanctions on seven officials and 17 firms connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle as punishment for Russia’s failure to ease tensions in neighbouring Ukraine.
Deepening the showdown between the two countries, the US is also tightening its licensing requirements for the export of a few hi-tech products which could be put to military use, the White House said in its statement.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said, “The United States has taken further action today in response to Russia’s continued illegal intervention in Ukraine and provocative acts that undermine Ukraine’s democracy and threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity”.
Carney added that Russia has done almost nothing to meet its end of the agreement it struck with Ukraine, the United States and the European Union in Geneva, aimed at reining in the pro-Moscow elements in Ukraine. “Russia’s involvement in the recent violence in eastern Ukraine is indisputable”, Carney said.
The sanctions are a follow up to previously announced measures aimed at members of Putin’s political circle, inner circle and a Russian bank. The sanctions do not specifically target specific sectors of the Russian economy, like mining and energy. The White House added that that the US and its European allies would impose the sanctions only if Russia actually invaded Ukraine.
Russia responded to the sanctions by promising to deliver a “painful” response. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, “We will, of course, respond. We are certain that this response will have a painful effect on Washington”. He did not give out any further details but said that Russia has a “broad range” of options available.