China News Agency, Washington, March 2 (Reporter Sha Hanting) The US government announced on the 2nd local time that it imposed sanctions on many individuals and entities in Russia due to the poisoning incident of Russian opposition activist Navalny.

This is the first time that Biden has imposed sanctions on Russia since he assumed the presidency of the United States.

　　The U.S. Treasury Department issued a statement on the same day that it will sanction seven Russian individuals related to the poisoning and imprisonment of Navariny.

The US Department of Commerce announced that it will sanction 14 Russian entities related to the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction and chemical weapons.

　　According to regulations, the assets of the sanctioned party in the United States or under the control of the United States will be frozen, and U.S. citizens will not be allowed to conduct transactions with the sanctioned party. Foreign financial institutions or individuals who conduct transactions with or provide support to the sanctioned party will also face sanctions risks.

　　US Secretary of State Blincoln issued a statement on the same day that the reason for the US sanctions against Russia was that Russia "used chemical weapons with the intention of assassinating" Russian opposition figure Navaline.

The statement also said that the sanctions are to send a "clear signal" to Russia that Russia's use of chemical weapons and human rights violations will have "serious consequences."

The statement also requested the Russian side to "immediately and unconditionally" release Navalny.

　　U.S. media quoted senior U.S. officials as saying that the sanctions against Russia are the "first step." Next, the Biden administration will also take measures against Russia's interference in the U.S. election and cyber attacks.

　　The Russian side has always denied the "assassination" of Navalny.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary Peskov said earlier in the day that sanctions imposed on Russia due to the Navaline incident would only worsen already tense Russia-US relations.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that Russia will also respond to US sanctions.

　　Navalny is a well-known Russian opposition figure.

In August 2020, he suddenly fell into a coma on the way to Moscow, suspected of being poisoned, and then the plane made an emergency landing in Omsk.

The local doctor said that no trace of poison was found in Navari's body.

Navalny was later taken by a special plane to a hospital in Berlin, Germany for treatment.

During the treatment, laboratories in Germany, France, Sweden and other countries confirmed that Navalny had been attacked by "Novijok" nerve agents.

Navalny returned to Russia in January this year.

In February of this year, he was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment by the Moscow District Court for fraud. The actual time he served was two and eight months.

(Finish)