The Voice of America said that the US has expanded its sanctions on Monday against Russia, which focused on technology and other members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle. The latest development was reportedly in response to the country's continued involvement in Ukraine.
According to President Barack Obama, the broader sanctions on Russia's banking or defense industry is being held "in reserve."
"The goal here is not to go after Mr. Putin personally. The goal is to change his calculus with respect to how the current actions that he is engaging in in Ukraine could have an adverse effect on the Russian economy over the long-haul, and to encourage him to actually walk the walk and not just talk the talk when it comes to diplomatically resolving the crisis in Ukraine," Obama added.
A White House statement explained the latest sanctions as the US government's intensified efforts to force Russia to comply with Geneva commitments. The statement also called out Moscow's involvement in eastern Ukraine violence, and branded such acts as indisputable.
On the other hand, a senior Russian diplomat said that the new round of sanctions imposed by the US on Russia could be likened to the country's return to its "Cold War" practices. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by the Foreign Ministry, which has posted his comments on its website, "We decisively condemn the series of measures that has been announced in an attempt to put sanctions pressure on Moscow."
Seven Russian government officials, which include two members of Putin's inner circle, will be subject to a US visa ban and an asset freeze, VOA said. Moreover, the new round of sanctions will be imposed on 17 companies that have links to Putin's inner circle. Although Russia's giant natural gas monopoly, and its CEO, Alexei Miller, are notably absent in the new round of sanctions, political observers believed that the US government might target them next.
