Ukraine crisis: US warns Russia “totally change the game”

“I think we’ll have some announcements in the next week or two to identify the targets that are enabling Russia to dodge sanctions,” said national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

However, Mr. Sullivan did not give details of upcoming plans.

The US national security adviser has said that Washington does not want to return yachts and other properties confiscated from people they see as oligarchs with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Sullivan also said that any attempt by Russia to disrupt arms transfers to Ukraine could lead to an escalation in relations with the West.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the US is preparing new efforts to prevent the behavior of Russia’s sanctions evasion. Photo: Reuters

Mr. Sullivan warned: “The US does not operate in Ukraine, so if Russia attacks NATO territory where supplies are being gathered, then Article 5 will be triggered and the game will change completely.”

Article 5 of the NATO charter states that any attack against one member of the military alliance is an attack on all NATO members.

In addition, Mr. Sullivan declined to discuss whether any senior US officials would visit Kiev soon, warning that fighting in Ukraine could go on for months or longer.

Meanwhile, Russia has asked Brazil for support at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Group of leading developed and emerging economies (G20) to help Moscow fend off sanctions imposed by Russia. imposed by the West since Russia launched a military campaign in Ukraine.

According to ReutersRussian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov wrote to Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, asking Brazil for assistance to prevent political accusations and discrimination in international financial institutions and multilateral forums. .

“The IMF and the World Bank are taking behind-the-scenes actions to limit or even expel Russia from the decision-making body,” Finance Minister Siluanov wrote. Dated March 30, the letter did not mention the conflict in Ukraine and was delivered by the Russian ambassador to Brasilia on April 14 to Minister Guedes.

When asked about the letter, Secretary for International Economic Affairs of the Brazilian Ministry of Economy, Erivaldo Gomes, said that the Brazilian authorities want Russia to continue to participate in discussions at multilateral organizations.

However, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen last week said the US would not participate in any G20 meetings if Russia did.