The United States of America published a new package of sanctions against Russia targeting Russia’s Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, and sovereign investment fund. “European Pravda” reported this, citing the statement from the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
“In cooperation with our partners, USA is taking further steps against Russian financial system as a response to the war that Russia continues to conduct against Ukraine,” - says the statement.
In particular, the USA has prohibited its citizens from conducting any transactions involving Russia’s Central Bank, National Wealth Fund, or Ministry of Finance.
In addition, as reported earlier, blocking sanctions are being imposed against the Russian Direct Investment Fund, its two subsidies, and CEO Kirill Dmitriev. This fund is controlled by President Vladimir Putin and his close circle.
“We have taken these steps to intervene in Russia’s ability to start using its international reserves for undermining our sanctions and also to prevent Russia from having access to its Wealth fund to be used in the war against Ukraine,” says the statement.
Russian Direct Investment Fund was established in 2011 by the former Russian President Dmitrii Medvedev and then Prime Minister Putin. Officially the Fund invested in several sectors and was established to attract direct investments to the country. Nevertheless, it is considered the Fund for Putin and his close circle to steal money. Kirill Dmitriev is a close ally of Putin and a CEO of the Fund. He used his connections as an alumnus of American universities as Putin’s representative in US institutions.
The day before, the EU imposed sanctions against the Russian Central Bank.
Earlier the UK government imposed new sanctions against Russia as a response to its aggression against Ukraine. According to London, more than 100 companies and oligarchs, the core of Putin’s regime, have suffered from sanctions worth 100 million pounds.