Obama Announces Drastic Sanctions Against Russia

Says he could target whole sectors of Russia's economy
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 20, 2014 10:31 AM CDT
Obama Announces Drastic Sanctions Against Russia
President Barack Obama delivers a statement on Ukraine from the White House on Monday, March 17, 2014.   (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

President Obama may not want to send troops to Ukraine, but he's all too willing to fight Vladimir Putin with dollars. Obama today announced that he is expanding sanctions to yet more individuals both within and outside of the Russian government, and to a bank that has provided them with material support. More ominously, he warned that he'd signed an executive order allowing him to sanction not just people, but entire sectors of Russia's economy.

"This is not our preferred outcome. These sanctions would not only have a significant impact on the Russian economy, but could also be disruptive to the global economy," Obama said. "However, Russia must know that further escalation will only isolate it further from the international community." He also said he believed there was still a way Russia could resolve the crisis through diplomacy with Kiev, and urged Congress to approve aid to Ukraine. "Expressions of support are not enough," he told legislators. "We need action." (More Barack Obama stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X