The United States on Friday increased sanctions against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, which continued with the advance of troops in the west and center and the tightening of the siege on Kiev, the capital.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped under bombardment two weeks after the invasion began on February 24. According to the UN, 2.5 million Ukrainians have already fled the country.
The situation is particularly dire in the port city of Mariupol (south), where, according to local authorities, 1,500 people have died since Russia practically cut it off from the world 12 days ago.
The local representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Sasha Volkov, warned that some residents “have started fighting over food” and that many were left without drinking water.
Western powers have imposed heavy sanctions on Moscow and sent funds and military supplies to Ukraine, without stopping the Russian advance or the bombing of civilian targets.
US President Joe Biden said allies have excluded Russia from the normal reciprocity regime that governs trade and will stop imports of Russian vodka, diamonds, fish and seafood, opening the way for the imposition of tariffs. punitive against Moscow.
“The United States, our allies and partners continue to work together to increase economic pressure on Putin and further isolate Russia on the world stage,” he noted.
The United States and the EU in turn prohibited the export of luxury products to Russia.
“Putin must pay the price, he cannot start a war that threatens the foundations of international peace and stability and then ask the international community for help,” Biden said.
The first high-level negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, in Turkey on Thursday, did not lead to any progress towards a ceasefire, but Russian President Vladimir Putin said he saw some “positive steps” in the talks.
That comment encouraged the stock markets of the United States and Europe, which this Friday operated in the green.
AFP | Kiev
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