One Year of the Ukraine War... "US Imposes New Export Controls and Sanctions on Russia"

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The Joe Biden administration plans to add new export controls and sanctions targeting key industries ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. President Biden will also visit the neighboring country Poland this week to deliver a speech supporting Ukraine.

◆Western countries impose additional sanctions on Russia ahead of 1-year mark of the war

Bloomberg News reported on the 19th (local time), citing anonymous sources, that the new sanctions will target Russia's defense, energy, financial institutions, and key individuals. The U.S. plans to strengthen efforts with allies to block Russia from circumventing existing sanctions or receiving support through third countries.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

This is interpreted as a judgment that as the war reaches its one-year mark, increasing the likelihood of prolonged conflict, there is a need to further strengthen sanctions against Russia. Sources evaluated that this move will reaffirm a strong commitment to sanctions against Russia and also pressure countries that have not yet joined the sanctions.

Bloomberg News stated, "As the invasion reaches one year, the U.S. and its allies are preparing for a long-term conflict," adding, "They are also accelerating efforts to provide weapons support for Ukraine's counteroffensive." Previously, the U.S. and European countries announced support including main battle tanks for Ukraine.

The European Union (EU) is also expected to approve new sanctions against Russia next week. The new sanctions proposal includes measures to mandate reporting on frozen Russian assets held by banks and other financial institutions. Additionally, the EU plans to impose further sanctions on Iranian companies believed to be supplying drones and other military goods to Russia, and to implement broad export controls targeting products used by the Russian military such as technology, components, heavy equipment vehicles, and electronics. Approval from all member states is required for EU sanctions.

Alongside this, the Group of Seven (G7) countries including the U.S. and the EU are exploring ways to strengthen cooperation in enforcing sanctions against Russia. Through this, they aim to pressure companies aiding Russia in evading sanctions, strictly enforce existing measures, and increase diplomatic pressure on countries that might support Russia.

◆U.S. warns of possible Chinese involvement... Biden to visit Poland this week

As the 24th, marking one year since the invasion, approaches, tensions are rising among the West, Russia, and China. On this day, the U.S. also raised public warnings regarding the possibility of China expanding its involvement, which could become a major variable if the war prolongs.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an interview with CBS's Face the Nation that China is considering providing lethal weapons to Russia, and allies attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany are taking this matter seriously. He also conveyed a prior warning during a meeting with Wang Yi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Political Bureau, stating that it could cause serious problems in U.S.-China relations.

On the same day, Vice President Kamala Harris, attending the Munich Security Conference, mentioned the possibility of China supplying lethal weapons to Russia. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, appeared on CNN and warned that if China supplies lethal weapons to Russia, "there will be strong consequences."

Within the U.S. Congress, voices calling for providing fighter jets to Ukraine are growing louder. Michael McCaul, a Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in an interview with CNN that when asked if he expects the administration to send fighter jets to Ukraine, he replied, "I hope so." He argued, "The longer we wait to provide (fighter jets and missile support), the longer the war will last," and emphasized, "We must put everything we can into this fight so they (Ukraine) can win."

Earlier, five members of the House of Representatives from both parties, including Democrat Jared Golden and Republican Mike Gallagher, sent a letter to President Biden requesting F-16 fighter jet support. However, President Biden recently drew a line on whether to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, saying "No."

Marking one year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Biden plans to visit Poland from the 20th to the 22nd to discuss ways to support Ukraine and joint efforts to strengthen NATO's deterrence. In a speech held in Warsaw, he will also deliver a message that the U.S. will stand with Ukraine as long as necessary.

The White House confirmed that President Biden currently has no plans to visit Ukraine or meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, if President Zelensky visits Poland, a sudden meeting is possible.