The White House is set to announce a major new round of sanctions against Russia following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison. The White House has attributed Mr. Navalny's death to President Putin and his government, holding them responsible for the tragic event. In response to President Biden's directive, a significant sanctions package will be unveiled on Friday to hold Russia accountable not only for Navalny's death but also for its actions throughout the ongoing conflict.
The sanctions had been in development for some time and are seen as an escalatory move by the Biden administration in the aftermath of Navalny's passing. The package, originally planned to coincide with the second anniversary of the invasion, will now be expanded in light of recent events. The focus of the sanctions will be on individuals or entities associated with Russia's defense industrial base, likely related to activities in Ukraine, as well as elements involved in Russia's repressive apparatus.
