In a decisive move, President Joe Biden has declared a new wave of sanctions against Russia, emphasizing the intention to make Russian President Vladimir Putin “pay an even steeper price” for his actions abroad and domestic repression. This latest package targets over 4,000 entities and coincides with the approaching second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Reflecting on Russia’s past aggression, President Biden asserted, “Two years ago, he tried to wipe Ukraine off the map. If Putin does not pay the price for his death and destruction, he will keep going.” The sanctions, designed to hold Russia accountable, extend the economic pressure on the nation.

Simultaneously, the European Union (EU) has announced its 13th set of sanctions, focusing on nearly 200 companies and individuals allegedly involved in aiding Russia’s procurement of weapons or participating in the kidnapping of Ukrainian children. The EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, emphasized unity in denting “Russia’s war machine” and supporting Ukraine’s legitimate fight for self-defense.

Among the EU sanctions are measures targeting 10 Russian entities engaged in shipping North Korean armaments to Russia, including North Korea’s defense minister. The EU has now listed over 2,000 individuals since the onset of the war.

In response, Russia’s foreign ministry announced an expansion of its list of EU officials and politicians prohibited from entering the country. Characterizing the EU’s efforts as “fruitless attempts” to exert pressure through unilateral measures, the Russian statement indicated ongoing tensions between the two sides.

It is worth noting that the US, EU, and UK had previously sanctioned President Putin and individuals close to him, freezing assets and banning companies from providing goods. Last year, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Putin, alleging war crimes related to the deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. The recent sanctions represent an intensified effort to address Russia’s actions and foster accountability on the international stage.