The US embargo 'war'

Tit for tat

TASS news agency reported on May 20 that the Russian Foreign Ministry announced a ban on 500 US citizens from entering Russia in response to the latest round of sanctions by the administration of US President Joe Biden. In addition to former President Barack Obama, those sanctioned include current and former senior officials and leaders of defense companies supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Congressmen, experts, staff of policy research organizations... are also included in Russia's sanctions list. Specifically, Russia also banned entry to two former ambassadors John Tefft and Jon Huntsman, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and former Deputy Secretary Gina Jones, Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro, Army General David Stewart, White House Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton. In addition, there are TV hosts and comedians such as Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, policy advisor Rachel Bauman, Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Michael Barr, CNN news anchor Erin Burnett. Currently, a total of 1,844 Americans are under sanctions by Russia.

Goods at a commercial port in the Russian city of Vladivostok.

Earlier on May 19, the US announced sanctions against more than 300 individuals and entities linked to Russia, in order to prevent the country from continuing its military campaign in Ukraine. According to Reuters, those sanctioned include businessmen, companies accused of helping Russia buy raw materials and technological products, Russian importers, educational and research institutes, and dozens of aircraft and ships related to Moscow and the Wagner mercenary company. Meanwhile, TASS news agency on May 20 quoted Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov as saying that the US adding some medical and agricultural equipment to the export ban list has undermined Washington's claim that the sanctions will not affect humanitarian goods.

In addition to announcing the retaliatory sanctions list, Russia also rejected the latest US request for consular access to The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is being held in Russia on espionage charges. This action was in response to the US in April refusing to issue visas to the Russian press delegation accompanying Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the UN headquarters in New York City.

Added support for Ukraine

In an effort to rally support, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Japan on the afternoon of May 20 to attend the G7 summit by French government plane, according to The Guardian. President Biden plans to announce a $374 million military aid package for Ukraine, according to Politico, citing US and Ukrainian officials. The new aid package includes more artillery shells, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons.

A US official said President Biden supports a joint allied training program for Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, which is expected to take place in Europe and last for several months. US officials estimate the fastest time to train and transfer F-16s is 18 months.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain would work with the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark to "help Ukraine acquire the necessary air combat capabilities." Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the country would participate in a US-built fighter training program, leaving open the possibility of a transfer. In addition, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said Portugal had also agreed to train Ukrainian pilots and mechanics on Western fighter jets. According to TASS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that the West was still following an "escalation scenario" and would face "great risks" if it supplied F-16s to Ukraine.

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