U.S. imposing new sanctions on Russia's defense-related entities - Blinken

He stated this at a press briefing at the U.S. Department of State, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Today, we're also imposing sweeping sanctions on Russia’s defense sector. In total, 22 Russian defense-related entities will be designated, including companies that make combat aircraft, infantry fighting vehicles, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare systems – the very systems now being used to assault the Ukrainian people, abuse human rights, violate international humanitarian law," Blinken said.

He stressed that the United States is also imposing "export controls on Belarus to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for being a co-belligerent in President Putin’s war of choice."

"We will choke off Belarus’s ability to import key technologies. And if Lukashenka’s support for the war continues, the consequences for his regime will escalate," he said.

Blinken noted that the sanctions already imposed on Russia have had a "powerful effect" on its economy.

"The value of the ruble has plummeted; the Russian stock market closed at – as fear of capital flight rose; interest rates more than doubled; Russia’s credit rating has been cut to junk status. The value of President Putin’s “war fund” has vanished. And by choking Russia’s access to technology, we’re delivering a blow to its economy and military that will be felt not just now, but for years to come," he said.