Washington/18.08.22/Turan: Washington on Wednesday applauded Turkey's efforts to facilitate the freer flow of grain out of Ukraine's Black Sea ports.
"We highly appreciate Turkey's efforts, together with those of the UN Secretary General, together with those of Ukraine to see to it that ships are once again sailing from Ukraine's Black Sea ports," State Department spokesman Ned Price told TURAN's Washington correspondent during daily briefing ahead of today's Lviv talks between the Turkish leader, UN chief, and Ukrainian President.
At latest count, more than 20 ships laden with grain, laden with crops, and foodstuffs have set sail from Ukraine, Price said.
"The vast majority of those have made it through the inspection station and are now sailing to their ultimate destinations. That is unambiguously a good thing," he said.
TURAN also asked the spokesperson for Washington's response to jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's recent calls for systematic sanctions against Russian oligarchs.
"... We will enact, continue to use every appropriate authority to hold accountable those who are responsible for Russia's war against Ukraine," he said. "We have done so against the head of state, President Putin. We've done so against his key Ministers: his Minister of Foreign Affairs, his Defense Minister, others within his inner circle. But we have also done so vis-à-vis cronies, oligarchs, and those who have benefited from – and in turn cater to – President Putin and the Kremlin."
The State Department assures that it continues to develop and to refine targets. "We will continue to use appropriate authorities to pursue those who fall within the legal parameters of our sanctions authorities," Price said.
"Our partners are continuing to do the same, and together, we're continuing to harmonize our sanctions with those of our European and other partners to ensure that we can achieve maximum effectiveness," the spokesperson added.
Alex Raufoglu
Washington D.C.
Politics
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