10 Ferocious Sanctions That are Imposed on Russia

KingKush
Mar 4, 2022
5 min read

Vladimir Putin has launched a full-scale invasion in Ukraine on February 24th/ 2022. What was before seen as a military drill, spearhead a startling assault that took the world by surprise. Intensified clashes have led to atrocities, bloodshed and no sign of truce. As a result, this posed a threat to lives of many Ukrainians. Hundreds of thousands displaced Ukrainians have fled country to neighbouring countries seeking refugee. Amidst the ongoing conflict between Russia Ukraine, The West, particularly United States and NATO denounced in solidarity hard-hitting sanctions against Russia, in retaliation to Putin’s “Special Military Operations”. Here are 10 ferocious sanctions that are imposed on Russia.

1.Freeze on Russian Central Bank

United States, NATO and its democracies have issued punitive measures on Russia by freezing its Central Bank Assets. The United States, European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, U.K. and Canada have all approved Russian Central Bank blockades by immobilizing Russia from “SWIFT” (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) which is a global banking and payment system that links more than 11,000 financial institutions in over 200 countries. This is a big blow to Russia’s economy as it will limit access to more than $630 billion worth of assets, paralyzing and sidelining all Russian transactions.

2.Bans on Russian Airlines

Russian Airlines have been prohibited by many European countries as well as United States and Canada. These restrictions limit commercial travel and immobilizing freedom of movement of Russians around the world. In retaliation, Russia also denied more than 36 countries particularly European countries from entering its airspace and restricted flights from United States and Canada with approval from Russian authorities with special circumstances. These sanctions will pressure all parties entangled to move around other routes which will be a challenge for airlines.

3.Sporting Sanctions

Russia is closed from the world of sports. Russian international sports competition has all been hit with strict sanctions that will limit Russian sporting events for numerous sports. International Olympic Committee (IOC) restricted Russian athletes from competing. Russian athletes will not be able to compete or participate in ice skating, skiing, basketball,

track & field and some tennis events. FIFA and UEFA revoked Russian national teams and clubs from competition. Russia is also removed from international hockey. NHL have issued special restrictions for future events with Russia indefinitely. Russian athletes are continuing to face discrimination globally in recrimination of the invasion of Ukraine.

4.Germany Suspends Operations of Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

Germany withdrew the certification of Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was constructed to import oil/gas from Russia to Western Europe. The pipeline is vetoed by Ukraine, Germany and United States. Germany and Europe are heavily dependant on Russian oil, Germany gets more than half of its oil from Russia. The suspension of the pipeline will cause a $15 billion in loss of revenue for Russia and Gazprom. Nord Stream 2 is owned by Russian oil giant Gazprom as it is the sole shareholder. In total, there are 5 shareholders of the pipeline. Germany’s energy company Wintershall and Uniper, Britain’s Shell-RDSA, France’s Engie and Austria’s OMV all have shares in the pipeline.

5.Russian News Outlets – Sputnik and Russian Today (RT) Banned

Russian State Media and News channels have been banned from airing in United States and some NATO countries and are waiting further sanctions from Canada and other European countries. Apple removed RT and Sputnik from its stores. Google also removed RT and Sputnik from YouTube. Roku also expelled Russian news outlets from being shown on its shelf. Facebook and Twitter did the same by limiting Russian content from being featured on its platforms. many Russian news platforms have been either limited or suspended, Russian content are limited on mainstream media as sanctions are starting to take effect.

6.Sanctions on Russian Alcohols

United States as well as Canada yanked Russian alcohols from their shelves and blocked any Russian alcohol sales. Canada's liquor heavyweight LCBO have removed Russian Vodka from their shelves and halted all Russian alcohol sales. 10 U.S. States have also banned Russian alcohol sales. Some notable Russian alcohol brands that are prohibited are Beluga Vodka, Hammer & Sickle Moskovskaya and all Russian standard Alcohol. Some European countries are also starting to ban Russian alcohols.

7.Key Russian Individuals Sanctioned

There are important Russian individuals sanctioned from any admission to NATO and EU countries. Key Russian individuals lost contact and relations with key figures in those countries as stricter conditions are starting to take effect. United States and NATO and some EU member countries have made it difficult for Russians to access important material abroad, limiting access to key individual’s finances and decision making. Russian major banks cannot make any transactions because these prominent individuals are hit with sanctions.

Key individuals and their relatives include:

· Vladimir Putin- Russian President

· Denis Burtnikov- Deputy President of VTB Bank

· Peter Fradkov- Former Russian Prime Minister

· Sergei Lavrov- Russian Foreign Minister

For more Sanctioned Russian Individuals Visit this website

8.Sanctions on Foods/ Metals

United States and Canada have also banned some Russian food and metal imports. These include western products like cheese, vegetables, caviar, seafood, meats, corn and grain like wheat, chocolate, and chips. Some metals include jewelry like pearls, luxurious stones and gems.

Fertilizers like nitrogen nitrate have also been banned.

9. Canadian Sanctions Against Russia

Canada went after Russian energy sector and sanctioned major Russian oil companies like Gazprom and Rosneft. Canada sanctioned some key Russian individuals from entering the country as well as closed its airspace for Russian flights. Canada suspended major Russian banks that are operating within the country limiting access to Russian financial transactions. Canada has also banned Russian athletes from competing in the country until further notice. Canada said there will be more sanctions on Russia that will take effect in the coming days. For more on Canada's Sanctions on Russia, please visit Canada’s government website.

10. Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act

This is an act passed by the President Donald Trump Administration for Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. elections and Russia’s involvement in Ukraine and Syria wars. The bill was signed into law on August 2, 2017. The reaction of the world in retaliation to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was well planned by United States because of this “Sanctions Act on Russia” passed by President Donald Trump. Meaning Russia was provoked by United States in a long-planned Campaign that the world is seeing the results and effects of it now. United States is guilty of provocation and meddling in Russia's affairs leading up to the war in Ukraine that started in February 24/ 2022.

In retribution to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, United States have gathered up its allies and started a massive campaign in crippling Vladimir Putin and Russian the economy. Whether Putin pushes forward or whether he stops the war, as precedent, sanctions don’t seem to work against Russia. Vladimir and Russia are ruthless and hungry for power. Vladimir will not flinch, and he will continue pursuing his plans in capturing Ukraine. Additionally, Russia is pushing back by sanctioning countries and limiting access to their resources in turn crippling their economy, Russia is important for imports of significant metals, foods and most importantly their oil and gas, which they have in abundance. If Russia sanctions these resources, it will have a big impact on the world’s economy. Furthermore, negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will be held in determining the best solution in resolving this war. Let’s hope the world comes together in helping stop this war with peaceful means.