The Russian embassy in the U.S. issued a scathing statement shortly after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington had imposed sanctions on Vladimir Potanin, one of Russia’s wealthiest oligarchs and a close associate of Putin, in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“The United States continues to impose costs on Russia for its war of aggression against Ukraine,” Blinken said in a statement. “Russia’s attacks have devastated Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and caused extraordinary death and destruction.”
Blinken said the State Department would be imposing sanctions on the nickel tycoon Potanin, as well as three members of his immediate family and his company, Interros. Potanin is the chief executive officer of Norilsk Nickel, and the company’s largest shareholder.
The State Department also blacklisted Russian commercial bank Rosbank, Blinken said, noting that Potanin had acquired it earlier this year.
In response, the Russian embassy in the U.S. said the new sanctions are evidence of the “impotent malice” of the United States.
“The U.S. administration does not give up its close to insane efforts to expand its sanctions pressure on Russia. In a way that seems a favorite despite not being effective, new Russian officials, entrepreneurs, and companies are being ‘black listed’ en masse,” the statement said.
“Contrary to the propaganda statements by the U.S. officials, who claim that ‘just one bit more’ and the Russian economy will be ‘in tatters’, this is not happening,” the embassy said.
“And it certainly won’t. Despite external pressure Russia will move forward in its development. And it intends to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with those who are truly interested in it.”
Blinken said in his statement on Thursday that the U.S. is taking action against major actors in Russia’s financial sector, senior government officials connected to mobilization efforts, and proxy authorities installed in Ukraine.
“The United States will not hesitate to continue to use the tools at our disposal to promote an end to, and accountability for, President Putin’s unconscionable war,” he added.
Newsweek has contacted Russia’s foreign ministry and the Biden administration for comment.
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