U.S. Has Sanctioned Nearly 5,000 Russians Since February 24 — State Department

The United States has so far imposed visa restrictions on 5,000 individuals since February 24, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the State Department said on Monday.

"We have enacted the severe consequences that we pledged before February 24th, and we've done so consistently since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24th," Ned Price, the Department's spokesperson, told TURAN's U.S. correspondent during his daily press briefing..

Washington, he said, "will continue to identify those who are responsible for Russia's invasion, and we'll promote accountability for their culpability for Moscow's aggression."

In the meantime, Price said, the U.S. will not join calls to issue a blanket visa ban on Russian citizens in retaliation for the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.

"We want to ensure that we are not closing off potential pathways to those who are themselves fleeing President Putin's repression at home, those who are seeking refuge or safety, the many Russian dissidents, Russian human rights defenders, Russian truth-tellers who have stood up to President Putin's war and who may be vulnerable to human rights abuses because – merely for exercising what should be their fundamental and universal rights".

Price also confirmed that the State Department summoned the Russian ambassador to the U.S. last week to discuss war in Ukraine.

Anatoly Antonov was invited to the Department on August 18 in order to "warn Russia against any escalation of its war on Ukraine". Washington has also expressed concerns regarding Russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and called on the Kremlin to remove its forces from the area. No further details have been offered on the discussions.

Price also commented on the killing of Russian propogandist Darya Dugina in a car bomb attack near Moscow, saying that U.S. "unequivocally condemns" the intentional targeting of civilians anywhere. In the meantime, he declined to say whether Washington knew who was behind the attack but said there was no doubt that Russians would put forward "certain conclusions''.

TURAN also asked Price about Kyiv's concerns that there would be "particularly nasty" Russian attacks ahead of Ukraine independence day this week.

"There is no question in our minds that Russia will continue its brutal assault on the Ukrainian state, on the Ukrainian people, on Ukraine's independence, its democracy, its territorial integrity as well... There's also no question that we will continue to stand with our Ukrainian partners" the spokesperson said.

"...We are going to mark together with our Ukrainian partners Ukrainian independence day on Wednesday. Not only will this be Ukrainian independence day – what should be a time for joy and celebration on the part of Ukrainians in Ukraine, but also around the world – but of course it's taking place in the context of what has been Moscow's brutal aggression. And Wednesday, probably coincidently, will also mark six months of this brutal aggression," he added.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C,