US announces sanctions on Moscow for ‘poll meddling’; expels 10 Russian diplomats

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) today announced economic sanctions against Russia and expelled 10 diplomats in retaliation to alleged Kremlin's US election interference, a massive cyber attack and other hostile activities.

President Joe Biden ordered restrictions on US banks trading in Russian government debt, expelled the diplomats who include alleged spies, and sanctioned 32 individuals alleged to have tried to meddle with the 2020 US presidential election, the White House said.

Biden's order "sends a signal that the United States will impose costs in a strategic and economically impactful manner on Russia if it continues or escalates its destabilizing international action," a White House statement said.

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The statement listed Moscow's "efforts to undermine the conduct of free and fair democratic elections and democratic institutions in the United States and its allies and partners".

Russian intelligence agencies had allegedly mounted persistent disinformation and dirty campaigns during the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections to help Donald Trump's candidature.

The White House statement said the sanctions also respond to "malicious cyber activities against the United States and its allies and partners," referring to the so-called SolarWinds hack of US government computer systems last year.

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The statement also called out Russia's extra-territorial "targeting" of dissidents and journalists and undermining of security in countries important to US national security.

In addition, the department of treasury, together with the European Union, Australia, Britain and Canada, sanctioned eight individuals and entities associated with Russia's occupation of Crimea in Ukraine.

In Brussels, the NATO military alliance said US allies "support and stand in solidarity with the United States, following its 15 April announcement of actions to respond to Russia's destabilizing activities".