U.S. Seeks Asian Backing for Sanctions on Russia

U.S. diplomats are urging major Asian powers - China, South Korea, Singapore and Japan to back new Western economic sanctions imposed on against Russia this week as part of efforts to broaden international pressure against Moscow's stance in the Ukraine conflict, a senior State Department official.

U.S. Seeks Asian Backing for Sanctions on Russia

The coordinated sanctions by the U.S. and European Union were aimed at increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his country's support for separatists in eastern Ukraine whom the West blames for taking down a Malaysian airliner nearly two weeks ago. Obama and U.S. allies also warned that Russia was building up troops and weaponry along its border with Ukraine.

Obama joins EU in announcing expanded economic sanctions against Russia

In announcing coordinated sanctions, American and European leaders went beyond previous moves against banking and defense industries in an effort to curtail Russia’s access to Western technology as it seeks to tap new Arctic, deep sea and shale oil reserves. The goal was not to inhibit current oil production but to cloud Russia’s energy future.

Coordinated Sanctions Aim at Russia’s Ability to Tap Its Oil Reserves

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Economic sanctions can vary from imposing import duties on goods from, or blocking the export of certain goods to the target country, to a full naval blockade of its ports in an effort to verify, and curb or block specified imported goods.

Economic Sanctions