WASHINGTON – The Biden government will on Thursday institute a series of retaliatory measures against Russia in response to Moscow’s alleged interference in the election, a widespread burglary campaign and other malicious activities, according to people familiar with the matter.
With the help of a new executive order, the measure will extend the existing ban on US banks trading in Russian government debt, two of the people said. Previous bans on portions of Russian government debt have rocked Russian markets and contributed to economic misery.
The order prohibits US financial institutions from buying new securities directly from the Russian central bank, the finance ministry and the country’s massive sovereign wealth fund after June 14.
Among the other measures, ten Russian diplomats will be suspended, including some because of allegations that Russia offered to pay militants in Afghanistan to kill U.S. military servicemen, the people said. Sanctions will be imposed for the invasion of Russia, the interference of the election and the occupation of Crimea.
The Russian foreign intelligence service, the SVR, will be formally accused of the so-called SolarWinds cap of US government and corporate computer systems. Collectively, the actions are intended to punish Moscow, while also deterring the Kremlin from further provocations.