Hunter becomes the Hunted: Full list of Russian sanctions against Hillary Clinton and the Bidens
Weeks after threatening retaliation, Russia has finally imposed sanctions on 13 Americans. On March 15, the nation announced it was sanctioning high-profile Democrats like Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Hillary Clinton, Antony Blinken, and Mark Milley amongst them. Notably, no Republicans were sanctioned, even though a few of them like Rep. Elise Stefanik, Sen. Josh Hawley, and Sen. Mitt Romney have all condemned Vladimir Putin.
The actions come as Russia's economy faces imminent collapse as a result of western sanctions, imposed by the US, EU, Canada, Australia, and other nations. China has yet to join the growing list as fears mount the nation could support Russia's invasion with equipment or economic help. Meanwhile, Russian oligarchs are beginning to feel the pinch as many of them have their megayachts and luxury homes seized.
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The economic sanctions have not only forced Russia to artificially fix the Ruble, but also impose sweeping limitations on basic goods, while protests continue to rage all over the country against the war. The country has now taken its own steps to isolate itself further, by attempting to target key Democrats and those in the current Biden administration.
What sanctions has Russia imposed?
Moscow was clear that the sanctions would hurt the financial interests of the 13 targets, but not prevent them from "engaging in high-level communications with Russia", perhaps a sign that Russia is still willing to take a diplomatic route out of the war.
Those that were targeted are President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and the Deputy Adviser Daleep Singh, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo, President of the Export-Import Bank of the US Reta Jo Lewis, White House press secretary Jen Psaki, CIA Director William Burns, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
All 13 individuals are being barred from entry into Russia and will have all their assets in the country frozen. Apart from Hunter Biden, it's not clear if the others have any significant assets or investments in the country. Even in Hunter's case, many of his investments are linked to China and Ukrainian firm Burisma. The only known link between Hunter and Russia comes from the allegation he received $3.5 million from the wife of Moscow's ex-mayor, which has never been proven.
'Symbolic' sanctions brushed aside
Given that, it's unlikely that Russia's sanctions will have a serious effect on the Americans and is mostly symbolic in nature. Russia has now surpassed North Korea and Iran as the most sanctioned country in the world, a status that is wreaking havoc given its historical access to western markets and capital. Russia warned that more sanctions will follow, and will expand to include "top US officials, military officials, lawmakers, businessmen, experts and media people who are Russophobic or contribute to inciting hatred towards Russia."
Psaki, speaking to the press brushed aside Russia's claims saying, "It won't surprise any of you that none of us are planning tourist trips to Russia, none of us have bank accounts that we won't be able to access, so we will forge ahead."
When President Joe Biden meets with NATO on MArch 24, further sanctions are expected to be introduced on Russia. The US isn't the only nation Russia targeted. Moscow also announced similar sanctions against 313 Canadians including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.