White House: New US sanctions will force Russia into a tough decision
Photo: White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby (Getty Images)
The new US sanctions on Russia's energy sector will significantly reduce its income. John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council states, they will also force Moscow to make a "tough choice," according to Voice of America.
"[The new sanctions] exert significant pressure on the Russian economy, and this will increasingly force the Russian leadership to make a tough choice," said Kirby.
He reminded that last year, the US imposed sanctions on Russian banks, including Gazprombank, which had a severe impact on the Russian energy sector.
"We believe this will intensify pressure [on Russia] and contribute to the already gloomy economic forecasts for 2025 and beyond for Mr. Putin and his wartime economy," emphasized the White House representative.
According to Kirby, the new anti-Russian sanctions will significantly reduce Russia's income and force Moscow to lose billions of dollars each month.
When asked if the Trump administration would need to go to Congress to lift the sanctions, he answered affirmatively.
"I think so. I mean, this is President Biden's decision. I would leave it to the next administration to determine what measures at the executive level they may want to take further, if they wish to take any steps," he explained.
Sanctions on Russia
On January 10, it was announced that the US had imposed new sanctions on the Russian energy sector. More than 30 Russian oil services companies were added to the list. The sanctions target two major Russian oil producers, namely Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz.
Also, the CEO of the Russian state-owned energy company Rosatom, Alexei Likhachov, was sanctioned by the US.
Following the US, the UK also imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz.
