White House Announces New Russia Measures To Mark Anniversary

The White House has announced a new package of defensive aid and sanctions on Russia to mark the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

• Will provide additional drone and counter drone systems, and “a large amount of ammunition” for 155mm artillery and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
• Lethal aid will be procured via contractors (Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative) for long-term delivery and complements a package announced by President Biden in Kyiv on Monday for immediate delivery via Presidential drawdown.
• Today’s announcement includes wording on how the IMF, World Bank, and partners will meet the “critical needs” of Ukraine’s citizens, "...throughout and beyond 2023,” and pledges USD$550 million for Ukraine and Moldova’s energy infrastructure.
• The statement supports an “Enforcement Coordination Mechanism” to “ensure Russia pays for Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction,” through the immobilisation of Russian sovereign assets and fresh sanctions targeting 12 more financial institutions and actors responsible for backfilling sanctioned defence and tech items.
• For the first time, sanctions will be expanded to Russia’s metals and mining sector resulting in "increased tariffs on more than 100 metals, minerals, and chemical products worth approximately USD$2.8 billion to Russia.”