U.S. Raises Tensions against Russia after Four Regions’ Accession

Sept. 30, 2022 (EIRNS)—The Biden Administration responded to the accession of the two Donbass republics, and Zaporozhye and Kherson to Russia, today, by escalating its confrontation with Moscow. The White House issued a statement under President Joe Biden’s name in which he condemned “Russia’s fraudulent attempt today to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory. Russia is violating international law, trampling on the United Nations Charter, and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere.”

“The United States will always honor Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. We will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically,” Biden went on.

The U.S. response to those four regions joining Russia is a raft of hundreds, perhaps thousands of new sanctions. “These sanctions will impose costs on individuals and entities—inside and outside of Russia—that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory,” Biden said.

“We will rally the international community to both denounce these moves and to hold Russia accountable. We will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself, undeterred by Russia’s brazen effort to redraw the borders of its neighbor. And I look forward to signing legislation from Congress that will provide an additional $12 billion to support Ukraine.”

According to The Associated Press, the Treasury Department named hundreds of members of Russia’s legislature, leaders of the country’s financial and military infrastructure and suppliers for sanctions designations. The Commerce Department added 57 companies to its list of export control violations, and the State Department added more than 900 people to its visa restriction list.