WASHINGTON: The US sanctions imposed last week on Russia generated results that were “pretty close” to Washington’s hopes, a senior Biden administration official said on Friday, as tensions appeared to ease between the countries over Ukraine. Biden approved provisions that would let officials easily expand the sanctions on any area of the Russian economy in response to future provocations. He also signaled retaliation was forthcoming in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin two days before imposing the sanctions. “They’re just a tool that can advance a strategy by, in this case, creating leverage for a diplomatic process,” said Singh. His worsening health in Russian custody had raised alarm in the West.

Source: Pakistan Today April 24, 2021 05:37 UTC