Russia to face 'major sanctions' in response to Navalny's death, announces US

The White House declared the forthcoming imposition of a new 'major sanctions' package against Russia on Friday, aiming to hold the nation accountable for the demise of Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition figure and vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin. White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby, disclosed this decision.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kirby asserted, "Whatever story the Russian government decides to tell the world, it's clear that President Putin and his government are responsible for Mr. Navalny's death." He underscored President Joe Biden's directive in formulating this sanctions package, which will also address Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

🚨🇺🇸🇷🇺U.S. SANCTIONS RUSSIA FOR NAVALNY'S DEATH

Kirby: "At President Biden’s direction, we will announce a major sanctions package on Friday of this week to hold Russia accountable for what happened to Mr.Navalny.

Whatever story the Russian government decides to tell the… pic.twitter.com/3FfvVraZDr

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 20, 2024

What do sanctions include?

While specifics of the sanctions were not disclosed, Kirby highlighted their intent to hold Putin accountable for the protracted Ukrainian conflict and to address Navalny's demise. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan elaborated on the sanctions, elucidating their timing to coincide with the two-year anniversary of the conflict's commencement.

Sullivan emphasized the significance and scope of the forthcoming sanctions, describing them as 'substantial' and targeting various facets of the Russian defense industrial base and economic revenue sources. He noted their intended impact on curtailing Russia's military capabilities and ongoing aggression.

"This is another turn of the crank, another turn of the wheel; a range of targets that we have worked persistently and diligently to identify, to continue to impose costs for what Russia has done, for the threat it represents to international peace and security," Sullivan said.

Navalny dies at the age of 47

Navalny's recent demise has intensified international scrutiny of Russia. President Biden, directly implicated Putin, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken held Russia accountable. Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, repeated the same, demanding the return of Navalny's remains for a dignified burial and alleging foul play in his death.

What was Russia's response?

In response to these allegations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed them as 'unfounded' and 'unsupported.' Russia, already facing substantial sanctions, witnessed further measures signed by Biden in December, which targeted its financial institutions facilitating Russia's military buildup amid its hostilities with Ukraine.