US to join Europe with new sanctions on Russian businesses

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama declared yesterday that the US would join the EU in slapping new sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, arms industry and financial institutions.

The broader economic measures will hurt Moscow’s ability to secure dollar financing for its banks, in the toughest attack yet on its economy since it became embroiled in the conflict in Ukraine.

“The major sanctions we’re announcing will continue to ratchet up the pressure on Russia, including the cronies and companies supporting Russia’s illegal activities in the Ukraine,” he said.

Obama denied the West was being drawn into a new Cold War with its former-Soviet foe, but warned that the US and Europe were running out of patience with Vladimir Putin’s government.

“Today in building on the measures we announced two weeks ago, the United States is imposing new sanctions in key sectors of the Russian economy – energy, arms and finance,” Obama said.

“We’re blocking the exports of specific goods and technologies to the Russian energy sector,” he said.

“We’re expanding our sanctions to more Russian banks and defence companies. We’re formally suspending credits and financing for economic development projects in Russia.”

Earlier, the US Treasury had singled out VTB Bank, its subsidiary Bank of Moscow and Russian Agricultural Bank as three institutions joining the existing sanctions regime against Russia.

The Obama administration has also accused Russia of conducting tests in violation of a 1987 nuclear missile treaty, calling the breach “a very serious matter” and going public with allegations that have simmered for some time. – Sapa-AP