“Russia fulfilled none of its commitments. None. Zero.” Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday, that was how Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland described Russia’s implementation of the Geneva agreement reached on April 17 to de-escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
In response, she said, the administration will continue its policy of “steadily raising the economic costs” for Russia, including targeted sanctions on Russian entities and individuals. One target of more muscular sanctions will be the Russian defense industry.
A White House statement announced that the departments of State and Commerce would pursue a “tightened policy to deny export license applications for any high-technology items that could contribute to Russia’s military capabilities.” It added that such licenses that currently exist would be revoked.