US-EU sanctions Russian officials for’attempt to poison Navalni’… Russ “Don’t play with fire” backlash

The United States and the European Union (EU) have stepped up’cooperative sanctions’ against senior Russian officials in connection with the attempt to poison Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalni.

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalni (second right), who woke up 18 days after falling into a coma after poisoning last year, showed off his success on Instagram. He sat in a hospital bed at the Charite Hospital in Berlin, Germany, and uploaded a picture with his wife Julia (right) and two daughters. [AP]

On the 2nd (local time), the US Treasury Department announced that it would sanction seven Russians and related organizations involved in attempts to poison Navalni and detention. The sanctions include the Ministry of Finance’s Overseas Asset Control Bureau (OFAC), the State Department, and the Ministry of Commerce.

Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Federal Security Agency of the Russian Federation [AFP=연합뉴스]

The subject of personal sanctions is Alexander Bortnikov, chief of the Russian Federal Security Agency (FSB), the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (FSB), Attorney General Igor Krasnov, Chief Policy Officer of Russian President Andrei Yarin, Sergei Kiriyenko, First Vice-Director of the Administration Office of Russian President, Alexander Kala. They are the head of the Federal Correctional Service of Synnikov and two deputy defense secretaries.

Attorney General Igor Krasnov (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin [AP=연합뉴스]

The Washington Post (WP) said, “Kirienko and Yarin have played an important role in the current regime’s overall efforts to neutralize Navalni.”

Vladimir Putin (left) speaks with Russian President Sergei Kiriyenko, first vice-chairman of the administration of the Russian President [EPA=연합뉴스]

In addition, three scientific institutions such as Russia No. 27 Science Center, No. 33 Science Test Research Institute, and National Organic Chemical Technology Research Institute and security institutions such as the Federal Security Agency were included in the sanctions.

Assets in the United States related to the sanctions are frozen and transactions with them are subject to prosecution.

Separately, the US Department of Commerce has placed sanctions on 14 companies that support Russian weapons of mass destruction programs and chemical weapons activities. The State Department has also added Russia as a country subject to refusal to export defense goods and services. It also includes financial assistance to Russia and the denial of credit guarantees. “The sanctions will last at least 12 months,” the State Department said.

The U.S. sanctions were based on the conclusion of the intelligence authorities that the Russian government was behind the attempt to poison Navalni. The WP said, “This sanction is a foreshadowing of the Biden administration’s policy to respond harder to Russia than former President Donald Trump.”

According to the Associated Press on the 2nd, the European Union (EU) also sanctioned four senior Russian officials in connection with the Navalni case. As a result, their assets in the EU are frozen and entry into the country is prohibited.

US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln said, “We share EU concerns about the deepening of authoritarianism in Russia and welcome the EU’s decision to impose sanctions.”

Russia strongly opposed US and EU sanctions, citing retaliation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mariya Zaharova warned in a statement on the 2nd, saying, “The US sanction plan was to launch an’anti-Russian attack’ with a ridiculous excuse,” and “Do not play with fire.”

Mariya Zaharova, spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs [AP=연합뉴스]

“The White House will again try to manipulate the image of an’external enemy’,” said Zaharova’s spokesman. “In the future, Russia will retaliate on the principle of reciprocity and will resolve to defend the national interests.”

Navalni was transported to Germany after collapsed while showing signs of poisoning on board while traveling on a Russian flight last year. After waking up from a coma, Navalni pointed Russian President Vladimir Putin to behind the incident. He then returned to Russia in January, but was arrested and sentenced to imprisonment.

Reporter Seo Yujin [email protected]