The United States on February 23 unleashed its most extensive package of sanctions on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, targeting Russia’s financial sector and military-industrial complex in a broad effort to degrade the Kremlin’s war machine.
The sweeping sanctions come as the war enters its third year, and exactly one week after the death of the opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny, for which the Biden administration blames President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. With Congress struggling to reach an agreement on providing more aid to Ukraine, the United States has become increasingly reliant on financial tools to slow Russia’s ability to restock its military supplies and to put pressure on its economy.
Announcing the sanctions on February 23, President Biden reiterated his calls on Congress to provide more funding to Ukraine before it is too late. The Biden administration is also imposing sanctions on three Russian government officials who were connected to Mr. Navalny’s death.
Despite the breadth of the sanctions that Western allies have imposed on Russia, its economy has proved to be resilient. It is unclear whether the sanctions that were announced on February 23 will make a significant difference in the trajectory of the war.
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