US President Joe Biden harshly condemned Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory in a statement on Friday.
“The United States condemns Russia’s fraudulent attempt today to annex the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Russia is violating international law, trampling on the United Nations Charter and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere.”
Biden further stated that these actions “have no legitimacy” and will continue “always honoring Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.” Announcing the new sanctions announced on Friday, Biden added that the US “will convene the international community to denounce these moves and hold Russia accountable.”
“I urge all members of the international community to reject Russia’s illegal annexation attempts and stand by the people of Ukraine for as long as necessary,” he said.
Referendum: US-imposed visa restrictions and sanctions
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a series of visa restrictions and sanctions in response to Moscow’s “fake” referendums and annexation of four Ukraine regions on Friday.
“The United States unequivocally rejects Russia’s fraudulent attempt to change Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders,” he said.
In a statement, the top US diplomat said the State Department is imposing visa restrictions “on 910 individuals, including members of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, military officers of Belarus and representatives of Russia for violating the sovereignty, territorial integrity and Ukraine’s political independence.
“The Department is also designating Russian national Ochur-Suge Mongush for his involvement in a gross human rights violation perpetrated against a Ukrainian prisoner of war,” Blinken said. “Under this authority, Mongush and his immediate family are ineligible to enter the United States.”
Blinken said the US is “issuing a clear warning supported by G7 leaders: we will hold accountable any individual, entity or country that provides political or economic support to Russia’s illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory”.
He said the Departments of the Treasury and Commerce “are releasing new guidance on higher sanctions and export control risks for entities and individuals inside or outside Russia that support fake Russian referendums, the alleged annexation and occupation of part of Ukraine. ”.
Blinken added that the State Department is teaming up with the Treasury Department “to target family members of the Russian National Security Council by designating Olga Sergeevna Sobyanina and Anna Sergeevna Ershova in accordance with Executive Order (EO) 14024 as adult children. of the Mayor of Moscow and member of the Security Council of Russia, Sergey Sobyanin, a person whose property and interests in the property are blocked under EO 14024”.
“We will continue the United States’ powerful and coordinated efforts to hold Russia accountable, cut off the Russian military from global trade, and severely limit its ability to sustain its aggression and project power,” Blinken said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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