DISINFO: The US introduced anti-Russian sanctions that are illegal under international law
SUMMARY
The US introduced anti-Russian sanctions that are illegal under international law. In recent years, the US has pursued a policy towards Russia that can hardly be described as friendly. Russia’s interests are ignored while anti-Russian activities are pursued. Without any provocation whatsoever from Russia, illegal sanctions under international law are imposed repeatedly.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about international sanctions against Russia. In December 2018, the US imposed sanctions on Russian persons "in response to Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine, election interference, malicious cyber-enabled activities, human rights abuses, use of a chemical weapon, weapons proliferation, illicit trade with North Korea, and support to Syria". Earlier, In August 2017, the US imposed sanctions on Russia over its alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election, its annexation of Crimea, and its involvement in Syria’s civil war. At that time, sanctions were introduced against entities doing business with Russian military or intelligence agencies, companies involved in Russian off-shore oil projects, and those participating in Russian oil or gas pipeline construction within Russia. The economic sanctions imposed on Russia were a reaction to Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Sanctions were imposed not only by the United States, but also by Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and other European countries outside the EU, including Ukraine.