White House Imposes Major Sanctions on Russia for "Navalny Death Responsibility"

Coordinator John Kirby: "Will Hold Russia Accountable"

The White House announced that it will unveil a 'major' sanctions package against Russia in response to the sudden death of Russian anti-government activist Alexei Navalny. Calls are emerging within the United States to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, drawing attention to the severity of the sanctions against Russia.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council (NSC), confirmed this during a press briefing on the 20th (local time), stating, "We will hold Russia accountable for what happened to Navalny and for actions committed during the war in Ukraine." He did not disclose details of the sanctions package.

He sharply criticized, "Whatever the Russian government decides to say to the world, President Vladimir Putin is clearly responsible for Navalny's death."

Kirby also emphasized that the U.S. is urging Russia to provide transparent information regarding the circumstances of Navalny's death.

Additionally, he called for the swift passage of the Ukraine aid budget currently pending in Congress to counter Russia. The House of Representatives, where the Republican Party holds the majority, opposes the Ukraine aid bill, citing the exclusion of funding for strengthening the southern border.

On the previous day, President Joe Biden also announced that he would unveil additional sanctions against Russia on the 23rd. President Biden said, "We have already imposed sanctions, but we are considering additional ones."

Some voices are advocating for designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, argued on the 18th (local time), "Let's designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law and make them pay for killing Navalny."

Navalny was a figure who exposed corruption among high-ranking Russian officials and publicly criticized government policies. He suddenly died on the 16th in a Siberian prison. Navalny's associates and the West have raised suspicions of assassination and are holding the Russian government accountable, but President Vladimir Putin remains silent.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.