US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at a conference in Washington. NICHOLAS KAMM (AFP)
In the midst of an escalation of tension between Washington and Moscow, the United States Department of the Treasury imposed new sanctions on Thursday against four Ukrainian authorities, including two members of its parliament, for participating in activities "designed by the Russian government to destabilize Ukraine."
They are accused of participating in disinformation tasks directed by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), as well as supporting the Kremlin's plans against the US and its allies.
"Today's action is aimed at attacking, undermining and exposing Russia's destabilization effort in Ukraine," the Treasury Department said in a statement.
Those sanctioned are the members of Parliament Taras Kozak and Oleh Voloshyn and two former government employees.
Kozak, who controls several news channels, is accused of "denigrating" several high-level profiles in the circle of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Also, of spreading false information about the 2020 US elections. Voloshyn, for his part, is credited with having worked with the FSB to undermine government employees in Kiev, as well as defending Russia's interests.
Both belong to the party led by the pro-Russian Víktor Medvedchuk, previously sanctioned by the US authorities for "undermining" Ukrainian sovereignty.
The Treasury also sanctioned the former secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, Vladimir Sivkovich, accused of facilitating the annexation of Crimea, and the former Ukrainian official Volodymyr Oliynyk, who, according to Washington, collected information on critical infrastructure in his country to share it. with the FSB.
The announcement comes a day after US President Joe Biden warned of the possibility of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, invading Ukraine, adding that he would pay for it.
The alerts jumped when the Democrat pointed out that a "minor incursion" by Russia in Ukraine could mean that the US would end up "discussing" with European allies about the appropriate response.
The statements caused confusion and triggered a wave of criticism among Republican ranks. In an attempt to clear up the doubts raised, the president affirmed this Thursday that he was "absolutely clear with President Putin." “There is no possible misunderstanding. Any operational Russian unit that crosses the border with Ukraine: that is an invasion.” Biden announced that his Administration is analyzing possible sanctions against the Kremlin that would target its banking system, restricting its ability "to negotiate in dollars."
Washington warned last week that Moscow is planning a fake sabotage operation against its forces in eastern Ukraine in order to build a pretext to invade the former Soviet republic.
"The United States is taking action to expose and counter Russia's dangerous and threatening campaign of influence and disinformation in Ukraine," Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement.
"We are committed to taking steps to hold Russia accountable for these destabilizing actions."
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