Blinken Pronounces Sanctions on Russian ‘Protection-Associated Entities’
U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken introduced the U.S. will impose sanctions on 22 Russian “defense-related entities,” along with new sanctions towards Belarus.
“These very methods at the moment are getting used towards the Ukrainian folks in violation of human rights and worldwide humanitarian legislation,” Blinken stated.
He stated the sanctions and penalties for Russia’s actions will proceed if Putin continues to escalate navy actions.
“President Putin could have assumed that the US and our allies have been bluffing after we warned of huge, unprecedented penalties however as President Biden likes to say, massive nations cannot bluff,” he stated. “America does not bluff and Putin has gravely miscalculated.”
.@SecBlinken: At this time, we’re additionally imposing sweeping sanctions on Russia’s protection sector. All instructed, these sanctions and restrictions have had a robust impact on Russia’s economic system. The worth of President Putin’s “battle fund” has vanished. pic.twitter.com/T7wRbs2LQ7
— Division of State (@StateDept) March 2, 2022
Whereas he can not put himself within the thoughts of Vladimir Putin, Blinken stated he can solely concentrate on Putin’s actions has taken and the U.S. response.
“The Achilles heals of autocracies is the lack to talk reality to energy,” Blinken stated.
On Putin’s nuclear posture, Blinken reiterated that the U.S. and Russia have lengthy agreed that using nuclear weapons can be “devastating” and {that a} nuclear battle “can’t be received and will by no means be fought.”
“Provocative rhetoric about nuclear weapons is a peak of irresponsibility,” he stated. “It is harmful. It provides to the chance of miscalculation. It must be averted.”
.@SecBlinken: “Russian and the U.S. have lengthy agreed that the precise use of nuclear weapons can be devastating and have devastating penalties for all the world…Each of our nations have said {that a} nuclear battle can’t be received and mustn’t ever be fought.” pic.twitter.com/Qpx1lDegnC
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 2, 2022
The U.S. has no motive to alter its alerts right now and Blinken stated door to diplomacy with Russia stays open provided that the Kremlin de-escalates its navy forces.
Blinken additionally applauded the “overwhelming and historic” United Nations vote this morning.
Over 140 nations voted to carry Russia accountable, 5 voted no and 34 abstained.
Those that voted towards the decision included Russia, Belarus, Syria and North Korea. To cite the comic Groucho Marx, Blinken stated, “this isn’t a membership wish to be a member of.”
In regard to the nations that abstained from voting, Blinken stated in some circumstances, an abstention speaks louder than a “no” vote.
