(Reuters) America has placed Russian Sberbank under a total ban, including banning all US citizens from investing in Russia following what it believes to be war crimes in Ukraine. Energy transactions are blocked from the fresh sanctions.
The fresh move by Washington will also sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin and his adult daughters. Members of Russia’s security council, Finance Minister Sergei Lavrov, his wife, and daughter are also included.
A US official said that Washington is “dramatically escalating” its financial shocks on Russia by cutting off its leading banks. The official said Moscow might be forced into the 1980s Soviet-style living standards.
The US says the new enforcement actions aim to prosecute and disrupt the criminal activity of Russia. This follows grim images from Bucha, a Ukrainian city, showing bodies and mass graves of people killed by Russian soldiers at close range.
Washington has also called for tougher action against Russia and asked for an international investigation. A French official has said the EU will likely impose fresh sanctions against Russia on Wednesday.
USDRUB is down -3.60%, SBER is down -6.99%
