Russia imposes sanctions on Biden, Blinken in retaliatory steps

Russia said Tuesday it has imposed sanctions on U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in retaliation for punitive measures against Moscow’s top officials over the invasion of Ukraine.

The announcement came as the Biden administration continues to step up pressure on Russia for its aggression against a neighboring country, unveiling additional sanctions Tuesday on Russian individuals and fresh measures targeting Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, whose regime has supported Russia’s military campaign.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Biden, Blinken, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the nation’s highest-ranking military officer Mark Milley will be among the U.S. officials who will not be allowed entry into Russia.

Combined photo shows U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Getty/Kyodo)

Since the Russian military attack started on Feb. 24, the United States, along with the European Union and other U.S. allies including Japan, has imposed sanctions on Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and others.

The sanctions announced Tuesday against Russian individuals, including defense officials, and Lukashenko by the U.S. state and treasury departments were imposed in connection with what Washington called “gross human rights violations” and “significant corruption.”

“President Putin’s military campaign against Ukraine has caused extensive and needless suffering, many hundreds and likely thousands of civilian casualties, including children, and growing reports of human rights abuses and violations,” Blinken said in a statement.

The top U.S. diplomat also criticized the Russian government for intensifying a crackdown against its citizens’ freedom of expression, including for members of the press, as well as freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

Lukashenko has previously been sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Treasury Department said Tuesday it re-designated the longtime leader of Belarus and newly designated his wife Halina Lukashenko.