US imposes new round of sanctions against Russia; Russia blacklists 500 US citizens

The U.S. government announced a new round of sanctions against Russia on the 19th, adding more than 300 new entity lists to target Russia’s evasion of sanctions loopholes. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced a countermeasure, blacklisting 500 US citizens from entering the country, including former US President Barack Obama.

Separately, Russia’s foreign ministry said it had rejected a request by U.S. diplomats to visit the arrested Wall Street Journal reporter, saying the move was in response to U.S. refusal last month to travel with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The United Nations media issued the visa, saying that Washington should realize that hostile attacks against Russia will be punished.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement on the 19th that this action will further constrain Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to launch a brutal invasion and promote the United States’ global efforts to cut off Russia’s attempts to evade sanctions.

In a statement, the Treasury Department said it would impose sanctions on 22 individuals and 104 entities under the jurisdiction of more than 20 countries, including companies that import, ship or manufacture electronic components, semiconductors and microelectronics to Russia.

The new round of sanctions also involves Russia’s energy education and research institutions to “limit Russia’s future mining capabilities,” the U.S. Treasury Department said.