The White House fears Russia will supply Iran with advanced defense equipment after Tehran supplied Russian forces with deadly drones, which it has used to cause severe damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilians.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby mentioned the prospect when calling reporters on a day when the administration imposed further sanctions on Russia on the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.
“We believe that Russia could offer Iran unprecedented defense cooperation, including missiles, electronics and air defense. We believe that Russia could provide Iran with fighter jets,” Kirby said.
He made the comment after reports that Russia is in talks to buy military drones from China, despite repeated warnings from Western powers to stay out of the conflict.
“Iran is looking for billions of dollars worth of military equipment,” said Kirby, who mentioned helicopters and radar.
He did not provide any information about the type of jets or the time frame.
All of this takes place in the midst of an unrelenting war, with both sides scouring the globe for ammunition and equipment.
The Pentagon on Friday announced its own $2 billion aid package for Ukraine, complete with new Switchblade 600 killer drones, along with artillery shells and laser-guided munitions.
In a break with the past, the Department of Defense did not disclose the number of artillery shells deployed amid concerns over the size of stockpiles and after a startling intelligence breach.
The White House has announced another package of sweeping sanctions against Russia to mark the one-year anniversary of its brutal invasion of Ukraine — with renewed efforts to target third countries, including China, for sanctions evasion.
The latest sanctions, which complement a range of previous efforts, target 200 individuals or entities and bring sectors such as finance, defense and technology into play – amid the ongoing showdown to see which side can hold out weapons, ammunition and stockpiles.
“We continue to impose significant costs on Russia for its illegal war on Ukraine, including through additional sanctions,” Finance Minister Janet Yellen said in India at a meeting with UK Treasury Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
“Our global coalition is working tirelessly to disrupt the Russian military’s supply chains, limit Kremlin revenues and make it harder for them to use the money at their disposal to purchase military equipment from abroad,” she said .
President Joe Biden (CL) walks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (CR) during an unannounced visit to the gold-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral February 20, 2023 in Kiev. The US announced additional sanctions against Russia and third countries evading sanctions
Russian T-72B3 tanks fire on Ukrainian fortified positions in Ukraine in undated footage.
The sanctions come amid concerns from allies over the ever-closer ties between Russia and China
The Treasury Department, State Department and Commerce Department each announced coordinated new sanctions efforts.
The White House has issued a press release touting the new sanctions package it forecast during President Biden’s surprise trip to Ukraine.
“As part of this announcement, we will target a dozen Russian financial institutions, in coordination with allies and partners, as well as Russian officials and proxy agencies operating unlawfully in Ukraine,” the White House said.
“We will sanction other actors associated with Russia’s defense and technology industries, including those responsible for replenishing Russian stocks of sanctioned goods or enabling Russian sanctions circumvention.”
The sanctions are targeting Russia’s future energy capacities “in a way that does not affect current production to minimize market disruption,” the White House said — amid Europe’s continued dependence on Russia for its energy needs.
Sanctions on Russia’s metals and mining sector are also being tightened, again “tailored to minimize market disruption” – amid evidence that some of Russia’s most devastating attacks are aimed at parts of Ukraine that hold mineral or mining assets.
The government is imposing increased tariffs on more than 100 Russian metals, minerals and chemical products worth $2.8 billion, according to the White House.
Biden will hold a virtual White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday about the effort. The event should take place without the press.
Yellen spoke about the sanctions at a meeting with fellow finance ministers and bank governors in Bengaluru amid India’s G20 presidency.
“In the coming year, we will redouble our efforts to stop Russian efforts to circumvent sanctions. This includes sharing information, identifying and eliminating specific networks, and making it difficult for companies and jurisdictions to serve as bypass channels,” she promised.
“Our cooperation also includes the price cap for Russian crude oil and refined products. While it is early days, we are seeing progress toward its twin goals of reducing Russian revenues and promoting stability in global oil markets,” she said.
The White House released a detailed briefing on its efforts so far. The moves, along with actions by allies, have isolated Russia.
The data names China as one of those on the “entity list” of those evading sanctions and helping to pad out Russia’s defense sector.
“These listings will prohibit affected companies from purchasing items, such as semiconductors, made in the United States or made overseas with certain US technology or software,” the White House said.
A view of the damaged building is seen after a Russian attack as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues February 22, 2023 in Kherson Oblast, Ukraine
A doctor from the Ukrainian Army’s 72nd Mechanized Brigade treats a soldier at a stabilization hospital near the front lines in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine.
“We will continue to impose significant costs on Russia for its illegal war against Ukraine,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said
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