U.S. Bans Russia From Paying Debts in Dollars
The war between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for six weeks now, and there are no clear signs of a ceasefire. Western powers continue to impose new sanctions on the Kremlin and influential figures in Russian society in an attempt to get President Vladimir Putin to change course. The United States has just announced a potentially powerful new measure.
(WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER)
On Tuesday, April 5, Politico reported the Treasury Department will no longer allow Russia to pay its debts using US dollars held in American banks. This was one among a number of new sanctions US officials unveiled this week; other measures will target state-backed organizations and the families of government officials. Western nations are also set to ban new investments in Russia.
NOTE: If the U.S. Treasury will pay Russia not in $USD's what form of payment would be approximate, rather what would Putin accept for the oil?
Banning Russia from using dollars to pay its debts could push it to the brink of default. If the country does default on its debt, it could have catastrophic implications in terms of future efforts to rebuild its connections to the rest of the world.
These new sanctions come following reports of atrocities committed by Russian troops in Ukraine. Earlier this week, President Joe Biden reiterated his previous claim that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal and said he should stand trial for what he’s done.
