The U.S. is banning imports of fish and seafood, alcoholic beverages and diamonds from Russia as part of the U.S. strategy to financially punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
President Joe Biden issued the executive order March 11, the U.S. State Department announced. The move shows the administration's commitment to work with the U.S. Congress and international allies to keep Russia from benefiting from its World Trade Organization membership or from treatment as a most favored nation. The order is consistent with commitments made by G7 leaders to deny Russia export revenues, the announcement states.
"With our allies and partners," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "the U.S. is committed to ensuring the government of the Russian Federation pays a severe economic and diplomatic price for its invasion of Ukraine."
In addition to banning imports of certain Russian products, the order also bans any transactions involving the transfer of U.S. banknotes into Russia from the U.S. or by a U.S. person, the announcement states.
The U.S. Departments of Commerce, Treasury and State also announced controls and sanctions against exports of luxury goods from the U.S. into Russia and against individuals with ties to the Russian government and President Vladimir Putin.
"We welcome the strong partnership and unity we have built with our allies and partners across the globe in the face of the Russia’s aggression against Ukraine," Blinken said in the announcement. "Together, we are supporting the people of Ukraine and imposing severe costs and consequences for the Kremlin’s war of choice."
