A Fox News official reacted to the revelation of EU sanctions against seven Russian banks in “The Claman Countdown”.
The White House released a new round of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, as did its ally Belarus, in support of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Restrictions on technology and software exports currently in place in Russia will be extended to Belarus, a move that will “significantly impair the two countries’ ability to sustain military aggression and project power,” the White House said.
Russian forces began invading Ukraine from the north through Belarus last week. A referendum in Belarus was also approved on Sunday, revoking the country’s non-nuclear status, potentially opening the door to the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in the country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko shake hands during a joint press conference in Moscow, Russia, February 18, 2022. (Sputnik / Sergei Guneev / Kremlin through REUTERS)
“The choice of Belarus to allow Russia’s horrific attack on the people of Ukraine has rightly provoked international condemnation,” Assistant Trade Minister Thea Rosman Kendler said on Wednesday.
The White House has also taken steps to further Russia’s economic isolation by hitting the country with export controls on oil refining equipment, which could deprive the country of a key source of revenue in the long run.
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So far, the United States has refused to ban the import of Russian oil, despite calls from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
“The United States and our allies and partners have no strategic interest in reducing global energy supply – which is why we have separated energy payments from our financial sanctions,” the White House said Wednesday.
View of a damaged regional police station building after a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine on March 2, 2022 (State Emergency Service of Ukraine / Handout / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Wednesday’s new measures also target 22 companies that produce fighter jets, armored vehicles, missiles and other military equipment for Russia.
This adds to the growing list of crippling sanctions Russia currently faces, including a ban on Russian aircraft in US airspace, restrictions on business relations with Russian oligarchs and the exclusion of Russian banks from the global SWIFT payment system.