US hits Russia with sanctions over ‘phony’ annexing of Ukrainian regions

The US Treasury Department named hundreds of members of Russia’s legislature, leaders of the country’s financial and military infrastructure and suppliers for sanctions designations

Joe Biden (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Joe Biden has accused Russia of showing “contempt for peaceful nations everywhere” with a “phony” claim of annexation of Ukrainian territory, as the US announced a new round of sanctions.

Washington sanctioned more than 1,000 people and firms connected to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including its Central Bank governor and families of National Security Council members, after President Vladimir Putin signed treaties absorbing occupied regions of Ukraine into Russia, in defiance of international law.