White House: More Sanctions For Russia After Navalny Death

by Jennifer Shutt, Ohio Capital Journal
February 21, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Tuesday again urged U.S. House Republican leaders to hold an up-or-down vote on military assistance for Ukraine and said a new sanctions package against Russia is on the way, citing the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as placing new pressure on Western democracies to rally against the military invasion.

Jake Sullivan, national security advisor to the president, said on a call with reporters that Navalny’s death and Ukrainian soldiers’ withdrawal from the city of Avdiivka are a reminder of why U.S. assistance is so crucial.

“I will tell you that our allies and our adversaries alike are watching what Congress does very closely,” Sullivan said.

“There are those here and abroad who say U.S. leadership and our alliances and partnerships with countries around the world don’t matter,” he said. “I’m here to tell you they do. Our alliances make us stronger, they make us safer, and passing this bill will send an important message of unity and strength, as well as American resolve to the rest of the world.”

The U.S. Senate voted 70-29 earlier this month to send the House a $95 billion assistance package that included aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

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