Ukraine Conflict: US and EU Sanctions Target Russia as Tensions Escalate

As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia enters its second year, the situation in Eastern Europe continues to remain tense.^[0] The United States recently announced an additional $2 billion in military aid for Ukraine, while Turkey is holding talks with Sweden and Finland to discuss their NATO membership bids set to resume on March 9.^[1] In the midst of it all, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has “diverted” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s calls to reconsider the decision to suspend Russia’s participation in the New START treaty.^[2]

In response to the ongoing conflict, Poland announced on Friday that it has provided Ukraine with its first Leopard tanks to aid the fight against Russia.^[1] Furthermore, Ukraine has shot down 80% of Russian missiles according to Commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Air Force Serhiy Nayev.^[3]

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen made an unannounced trip to Ukraine to highlight US economic aid that’s helping keep the country’s public services running, while President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has conveyed a signal to China on the diplomatic level in search of a peaceful resolution.^[1] Joe Biden and Olaf Scholz, Germany’s chancellor, will focus their discussions in Washington on Friday on war aid for Ukraine and may also touch on concerns that China may provide lethal aid to Russia.^[4]

After two days of intense debate, the European Union was unable to reach an accord on the tenth round of sanctions against Russia due to the latter's invasion of Ukraine.^[5] Russian forces have escalated shelling and infantry assaults in the Bilohorivka, Svatove-Kupiansk and Kreminna areas of Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk province, and Western offensive heavy equipment is reportedly on the way.^[6]

The situation in Ukraine remains tense, and many experts believe that the conflict will “drag on until the economic and political cost of the war become too great for Russia.”^[7] There are now fresh sanctions targeting Russia, and Ukraine is seeking to reach out to high-level Chinese officials because it corresponds to the interests of the country.^[0] As the war continues, the international community is watching to see how the situation will unfold.

0. “Ukraine Latest: US Vows ‘Sweeping Sanctions’ on Russia’s Economy” Yahoo Canada Finance, 23 Feb. 2023, https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/ukraine-latest-germany-sets-peace-074008049.html

1. “Russia-Ukraine live updates: Vladimir Putin admits military losses” Everett Post, 28 Feb. 2023, https://www.everettpost.com/blog/russia-ukraine-live-updates-vladimir-putin-admits-military-losses

2. “Russia-Ukraine live updates: Blinken talks to Russia foreign minister: ‘End this war'” 1310kfka.com, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.1310kfka.com/abc-news/world/03/russia-ukraine-live-updates-blinken-talks-to-russia-foreign-minister-end-this-war/

3. “Russia-Ukraine live updates: Vladimir Putin admits military losses” GMA, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/live-updates/russia-ukraine-97380473

4. “Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 373 of the invasion” The Guardian, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/03/russia-ukraine-war-at-a-glance-what-we-know-on-day-373-of-the-invasion

5. “Ukraine War, Day 365: UN To Demand Russia's Withdrawal” EA WorldView, 23 Feb. 2023, https://eaworldview.com/2023/02/ukraine-war-day-365-un-demand-russia-withdrawal/

6. “Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 369 of the invasion” The Guardian, 27 Feb. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/27/russia-ukraine-war-at-a-glance-what-we-know-on-day-369-of-the-invasion

7. “Ukraine Recap: Spring Comes Too Early For Putin's Tanks Eas…” MENAFN.COM, 2 Mar. 2023, https://menafn.com/1105695620/Ukraine-Recap-Spring-Comes-Too-Early-For-Putins-Tanks-Easy-Targets-As-They-Stick-In-The-Mud