April 15, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order launching a series of sanctions against Russia for “harmful foreign behavior.” The White House says the U.S. wants a “stable and predictable” relationship with Russia, but will pay the price for Russia’s attempts to harm the U.S.
The new round of U.S. sanctions against Russia includes the Treasury Department’s ban on U.S. financial institutions participating in a range of Russian bond and fund investments, action against six Russian technology companies, the announcement of sanctions against 32 entities and individuals accused of “carrying out the Russian government’s intentions to influence the U.S. election in 2020, spreading false information and interfering in U.S. internal affairs”; and U.S. cooperation with the European Union, britain, Australia and Canada to sanction eight Russian entities and individuals linked to Crimea.
The White House also said the United States would expel 10 diplomats from Russia’s diplomatic mission in Washington. The White House said the people included Russian intelligence agents.
In addition, the White House officially listed Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) as the perpetrator of espionage through cyber platforms and said it had the ability to monitor or disrupt 16,000 computer systems around the world.
According to CCTV news, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador to Russia.
Russian State Duma official: Russia will respond to U.S. sanctions and expel 10 U.S. embassy personnel
Alexei Chepa, vice-chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, told the Interfax news agency that Russia would respond reciprocally to the new sanctions announced by the United States.
Moscow will expel 10 U.S. diplomats and impose reiquiring sanctions on legal entities, the Duma’s vice president said
“Of course, we’re going to deport the 10 members of the (U.S. Embassy), believe me, we’ve got a list of businesses, we’ve got clear questions (evidence) about their specific interference in our internal affairs, and we’re going to take similar action against them.” Alexei Chepa said on the 15th.
According to Tass news agency, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova said Moscow will respond to U.S. sanctions in the near past.
