Biden adds sanctions while seeking more Kyiv aid from Congress

The White House announced sanctions Friday aimed at punishing banks that help Moscow build its military base and wage war on Ukraine.

President Biden is signing an executive order that “will make clear to foreign financial institutions that facilitating significant transactions relating to Russia’s military-industrial base will expose them to sanctions risk,” according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

“We are sending an unmistakable message: Anyone supporting Russia’s unlawful war effort is at risk of losing access to the U.S. financial system,” he said.

The Treasury Department said the sanctions will extend to manufacturing and tech materials that Russia seeks from foreign sources to assist its military. The department will also block the importation of certain Russian products, including seafood and diamonds, that have been processed or transformed in third-party nations in a way that disguises their origin.

The sanctions are part of a broad effort to clamp down on Russia and its economy after President Vladimir Putin decided to invade his neighbor in early 2022.

The sanctions have sometimes prompted blowback, particularly due to energy shocks in Europe and elsewhere. Not all U.S. allies have joined in the effort with vigor, saying they have to put their own needs ahead of camaraderie with Ukraine.

In response to the sanctions, Russia has turned to places like North Korea for weaponry and found ways to buttress its economy despite predictions of a collapse.

Mr. Sullivan insisted the sanctions are denting Moscow’s capabilities.

“To date, our sanctions and export control actions have significantly degraded Russia’s ability to replace the equipment, materials and technology it needs to fuel its aggression,” he said. “They have cut into Russia’s financial resilience, forcing Russia to turn to rogue regimes for supplies and make difficult decisions to resource its military spending.”

The sanctions are part of Mr. Biden’s broader plea to support Ukraine as Russia’s invasion approaches the two-year mark.

He’s pushing Congress to authorize a security package that includes $60 billion more in U.S. aid for Ukraine and its military. The request ran into roadblocks on Capitol Hill, where Republicans say they want firmer action to secure America’s southern border and need to see a plan for victory before giving Kyiv more funding.