US to announce ‘major sanctions package’ on Russia following Navalny death
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The Biden administration will unveil a “major sanctions package” targeted at Moscow on Friday in response to the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Tuesday.
The sanctions will “hold Russia accountable for what happened to Mr. Navalny, and quite frankly, for all its actions over the course of this vicious and brutal war that has now raged on for two years,” Kirby told reporters during a call.
He wouldn’t provide more detail about the package when asked.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday afternoon, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the sanctions will cover “a range of different elements of the Russian defense industrial base and sources of revenue for the Russian economy that power Russia's war machine.”
Navalny, who was long seen as the most significant political opponent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in prison on Friday. The death of the 47-year-old, a month before Moscow’s presidential election, sent shockwaves around the world.
Kirby also called on Congress to pass funding for Ukraine and other allies, echoing President Joe Biden’s remarks on Monday blaming Republicans for inaction.
“One of the most powerful things that we can do right now to stand up to Vladimir Putin, of course, is to, again, pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill and support Ukraine as they continue to fight bravely and assess their country,” Kirby said.
On Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he wants Russia to be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism after Navalny’s death.
Asked about that possibility, Kirby said he has no updates on whether the U.S. will designate Russia as a state sponsor of terror, but emphasized that the sanctions will “ramp up pressure” on the Kremlin.
In 2021, Biden told reporters that if Navalny died, the consequences for Russia would be “devastating.” Asked directly about that on Friday, the president said his remark was three years ago, and they’ve faced “a hell of a lot of consequences” since then.
Biden directly blamed Russia for Navalny’s death and said: “We're contemplating what else can be done,” adding, “We're looking at a whole number of options.”
Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report.
