Barack Obama Announces Sanctions Against 11 Russian Officials, Russian Deputy PM Laughs at Obama’s Weakness … Calls Obama a Prankster

Barack Obama flexes his political “mom jean” foreign policy against Russia …

Barack Obama Obama announced sanctions against 7, make that 11, Russian officials after Crimea referendum; however, none of them named is Vladimir Putin.In a sign of not backing down from Obama’s line in the snow, President Vladimir Putin on Monday, March 17, signed a degree recognizing the Republic of Crimea as a sovereign and independent state. This followed a vote where more than 96% of Crimean voters cast their ballots to break away from Ukraine and rejoin Russia.

Oh, and what was the response from Russia of Obama’s sanctions? Were they shaking in their boots, did they back down and say, okay Barack, you are too powerful and intimidating for us? Hardly, the Russian Deputy prime minister laughed at Obama’s sanctions asking “Comrade @BarackObama” if “some prankster” came up with the list. Maybe not a prankster, but certainly a community agitator. Barack Obama is out of his league in dealing with Russia. Vladimir Putin is not John Boehner or Mitch McConnell.

President Obama today issued a new Executive Order (E.O.) under the national emergency with respect to Ukraine that finds that the actions and policies of the Russian government with respect to Ukraine -– including through the deployment of Russian military forces in the Crimea region of Ukraine –- undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine; threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and contribute to the misappropriation of its assets.

In response to the Russian government’s actions contributing to the crisis in Ukraine, this new E.O. lists seven Russian government officials who are being designated for sanctions.  These individuals are Vladislav Surkov, Sergey Glazyev, Leonid Slutsky, Andrei Klishas, Valentina Matviyenko, Dmitry Rogozin, and Yelena Mizulina.

The United States also will seek to hold accountable individuals who use their resources or influence to support or act on behalf of senior Russian government officials.  We recognize that the Russian leadership derives significant support from, and takes action through, individuals who do not themselves serve in any official capacity.  Our current focus is to identify these individuals and target their personal assets, but not companies that they may manage on behalf of the Russian state.

The gang of 11 sanctioned by Obama:

Kremlin aides:
Vladislav Surkov – An aide to President Vladimir Putin.
Sergei Glazyev – An economic aide to Putin who oversaw relations with Ukraine.

Top government official
Dmitry Rogozin – An outspoken, hawkish Deputy Prime Minister.
Elena Mizulina – A senior lawmaker, she is considered one of the Kremlin’s morality enforcers in the parliament.
Leonid Slutsky – A lawmaker in the lower house of Parliament. He is the chair of the Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots.
Andrei Klishas – A member of the upper house of Parliament, the Federation Council, who proposed retaliatory action in case of Western sanctions on Russia.
Valentina Matviyenko – The head of the Federation Council.

Crimean officials
Sergey Aksyonov – Once an obscure pro-Russian politician in Crimea, he has now been declared the prime minister.
Vladimir Konstantinov – The newly declared speaker of Crimea’s parliament.

Ukrainian officials
Viktor Medvedchuk – A pro-Russian politician.
Viktor Yanukovich – The ousted president of Ukraine. He was elected in 2010 but was chased from office by protests last month.