The US has announced sanctions against several Russian senior leaders in response to the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The sanctions, which particularly affect seven high-level leaders, were decided "in close collaboration with our EU partners" and are a "clear signal" sent to Moscow, explained an American leader protected by anonymity.
The US leaders who announced the measures have not yet identified the people affected.
The sanctions are the first of the Biden presidency against Russia but probably not the last: according to administration sources, they are the first of several steps by the Biden government "to respond to numerous destabilizing actions".
The US measures against Moscow include, in addition to sanctions against seven Russian leaders, an expansion of sanctions under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control Act, new visa and export restrictions on material that could be used for the production of chemical and biological agents.
"We repeat our call for an immediate and unconditional release of Alexei Navalny": added an American executive protected by anonymity.
Behind the Navalny poisoning is the Moscow government.
This is the conclusion reached by the US intelligence services.
