Russians who dare to speak out publicly against the war in Ukraine face long prison terms. Alexei Gorinov, a municipal deputy in Moscow, received a seven-year prison sentence July 8 for “spreading false information” about the Russian military. His crime? Gorinov called for “stopping the war and withdrawing Russian troops from Ukraine’s territory” during a March council ... Read More»

When the Kremlin wants to gain influence in Africa or support a repressive leader without scrutiny, it often works with key oligarchs aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A Kremlin favorite is Yevgeniy Prigozhin, known as “Putin’s chef” because of his numerous catering contracts with the Kremlin. Prigozhin is best known for financing the Internet ... Read More»

Days after Syria’s government launched a chemical weapons attack upon its citizens in the town of Khan Shaykhun on April 4, 2017, the Russian government began a disinformation campaign to protect Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The 2017 sarin gas attack in Syria killed 90 people, including 30 children. Read More»

Thousands of Russians in more than 140 cities across the country are risking their liberty to peacefully protest Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war on Ukraine. More than 13,000 protesters have been detained in Russia since the invasion began February 24, according to OVD-Info, a rights group that tracks political arrests. Yet brave Russian citizens continue ... Read More»

Good morning.  I’m sorry to keep you waiting.  I’ve just spoken for some time with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine.  I told him, as I have each and every time we’ve spoken, the United States stands with the people of Ukraine and their bravely — as they bravely fight to defend their country.  And they are ... Read More»

Today, President Biden and G7 Leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom as well as the European Union will announce new economic actions to hold Putin accountable for his continued assault on Ukraine and further isolate Russia from the global financial system. Each partner will implement actions consistent with their national ... Read More»

President Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight and we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the United Nations Security Council. He asked me to call on the leaders of the world to ... Read More»

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with French MFA Secretary General Francois Delattre, German MFA Political Director Tjorven Bellmann, Italian MFA Secretary General Ettore Sequi, and UK Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America James Cleverly. They pledged to continue close U.S.-European coordination to deter further Russian aggression against ... Read More»

Good afternoon, everyone.  Earlier this week, I spoke with President Putin of Russia about the nature of our relationship — the relationship between our two countries.  And I was candid and respectful; the conversation was candid and respectful.  Two great powers with significant responsibility for global stability.  And President Putin and I have had a ... Read More»

We have engaged Russian authorities to share our concerns about their actions and the steps we are taking in response. The President is signing a new Executive Order on Russia that will broaden the scope of our sanctions authorities. Under this new Executive Order, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is issuing a directive prohibiting U.S. ... Read More»