


The Biden administration announced a sweeping new package of sanctions Friday on the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
President Joe Biden briefly previewed the new restrictions, which specifically target Russia's metals and mining industries, during his recent trip to Europe. He also virtually convened the leaders of the G-7 Friday morning to discuss the new sanctions.
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Administration officials say that the package, some of the "most significant sanctions actions to date, is specially designed to undercut the firms and companies helping Russia evade sanctions over the past year.
"Our sanctions have had both short-term and long-term impact, seen acutely in Russia’s struggle to replenish its weapons and in its isolated economy," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a written statement. "Our actions today with our G7 partners show that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes."
The package itself raises tariffs on previously designated Russian products from 35% ad valorem up to 70%, and added nearly 90 Russian and third-country firms to the sanctions list.
The Pentagon also announced Friday $2 billion in new security aid for Ukraine, including ammunition and high-tech surveillance drones.
The Biden administration had previously targeted more than 2,000 Russian individuals and entities, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, his family, and the bulk of Russia's oligarchy, in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Biden, speaking in Warsaw, Poland on Tuesday, vowed to stand with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people for "as long as it takes."
Though the president and administration officials have backed away from supporting regime change in the Kremlin, Biden also sought to assure the Russian people Tuesday that they are not the enemy of the U.S. and its allies.
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"Tonight, I speak once more to the people of Russia. The United States and the nations of Europe do not seek to control or destroy Russia. The West was not plotting to attack Russia, as Putin said today. And the millions of Russian citizens who only want to live in peace with their neighbors are not the enemy," he said. "This war is never a necessity. It's a tragedy. President Putin chose this war."