Biden admits Russian energy sanctions hurt the US

According to RIA Novosti on January 11, US President Joe Biden said that the sanctions imposed on Russia's energy industry are intended as leverage to affect the growth of the Russian economy.

“The sanctions imposed today will have a profound impact on the growth of the Russian economy,” Mr. Biden told reporters in remarks at the White House.

In addition, the US leader admitted that sanctions against Russia's energy and fuel complex would lead to an increase in gasoline prices in the US itself, but Mr. Biden said that the increase was insignificant.

Previously, on January 10, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against 400 individuals and entities in the Russian energy industry – the strongest sanctions ever.

The State Department also issued separate sanctions against nearly 80 individuals and entities in the Russian energy sector, including those involved in the production and export of liquefied natural gas. It also targeted those involved in the metals and mining sectors, such as senior officials of Russia’s nuclear energy agency Rosatom.

The Russian government has not commented on the sanctions. Before the sanctions were announced, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized President Joe Biden for “trying to leave the heaviest legacy” to his successor.