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| Eight were also sanctioned over Russia's occupation of Crimea (File photo by=Getty Images) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] The United States announced sanctions and the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats on Thursday (Apr 15) in retaliation for what Washington says is the Kremlin's US election interference, a massive cyberattack, and other hostile activity, AFP reported.
President Joe Biden's broadside against Russia came the same week as he offered to meet President Vladimir Putin for their first summit - meeting US officials who say remains "vital" so that the two countries can de-escalate. In an executive order, Biden widened restrictions on US banks trading in Russian government debt, expelled 10 diplomats who included alleged spies, and sanctioned 32 individuals accused of meddling in the 2020 presidential election.
Biden's order "sends a signal that the United States will impose costs in a strategic and economically impactful manner on Russia if it continues or escalates its destabilizing international action," the White House said in a statement. The Kremlin said on Thursday that sanctions would not "help" momentum for a summit and once the White House unveiled its measures, the Russian foreign ministry warned a Russian response was "inevitable". Additionally, the latest tension comes against a backdrop of long-term anger in Washington at Russian election meddling and worries both in the United States and its European allies over Russia's recent troop build-up on the border of Ukraine.
