The White House will unveil a “major sanctions package” against Russia on Friday in response to the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, according to President Joe Biden’s national security team.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, told reporters about the plan on Tuesday, noting that Russia’s war in Ukraine is also a factor in the new round of penalties.
“We will be announcing a major sanctions package on Friday of this week to hold Russia accountable for what happened to Mr. Navalny and quite frankly for all its actions over the course of this vicious and brutal war that has now raged on for two years,” Kirby said.
Kirby: New sanctions on Russia, after death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny pic.twitter.com/cWd1dsXp2V
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 20, 2024
Russian authorities said last week that Navalny died at the age of 47 in an Arctic penal colony after he started to feel ill and lost consciousness. Biden delivered remarks on Friday in which he said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “responsible” for the death of Navalny, who supporters insist was imprisoned on trumped-up charges. Navalny’s family is now engaged in a clash with Russia to secure the release of his body.
Navalny’s death happened after the Democrat-led Senate passed a roughly $95 billion foreign aid package that would dedicate another $60 million to Ukraine as it fights Russia. The GOP-controlled House has not taken up the bill, but the White House is pushing lawmakers to get it passed.
“One of the most powerful things that we can do right now to stand up to [Russian leader] Vladimir Putin of course is to again pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill and support Ukraine as they continue to fight bravely in defense of their country,” Kirby said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has criticized the foreign aid package for a dearth of border security policy changes. Biden told reporters on Monday that he would be open to meeting with Johnson to discuss the matter, after which the speaker’s team said they looked forward to the White House communicating when the president will be available.
Biden also rejected a reporter’s question asking if he would go as far as to say Navalny’s “blood is on the hands” of Republicans in the House, countering with, “I wouldn’t use that term, but they’re making a big mistake not responding.”