First U.S. sanctions take narrow aim at Russian finance

Nord Stream 2 operator also targeted, but energy sector mostly spared for now

20220223N Downtown Moscow

The Moscow International Business Center. Most Russian businesses will see little impact from the initial round of U.S. sanctions. © Getty Images

Nikkei staff writers

WASHINGTON/LONDON -- The first round of American sanctions on Russia for moving troops into separatist-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine targets mostly two state-owned banks responsible for funding Russian infrastructure development and military-related industries.

U.S. President Joe Biden also announced Wednesday that sanctions would be imposed on executives of Nord Stream 2, the gas pipeline project connecting Germany and Russia. The Switzerland-based operating company itself, a wholly owned unit of Russian state-owned gas giant Gazprom, will also fall under the sanctions.

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