US, EU Sanctions Vladimir Putin’s Daughters Over Bucha Massacre

Several reports said that the European Union and the U.S. government are preparing sanctions against two of President Vladimir Putin's daughters.

Wall Street Journal, which cited anonymous U.S. sources, said the second batch of U.S. sanctions – including those targeting Putin's daughters – could be unveiled as early as Wednesday.

Putin's daughters are anticipated to face asset freezes and travel bans from the EU this week, after proof that killing of Bucha's residents sparked international anger.

On the other hand, the Evening Standard said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's wife and daughter will be targeted by U.S. sanctions.

U.S. President Joe Biden tweeted: "I made clear that Russia would pay a severe and immediate price for its atrocities in Bucha. Today, along with our Allies and partners, we're announcing a new round of devastating sanctions."

When asked about the issue during a press briefing on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Paski acknowledged the announcement's scheduling but declined to comment on the content.

She claimed the sanctions would target "Russian government leaders' families," and banks and state-owned firms. But she didn't indicate whether Putin's family would be among the targets.

Because it is unclear whether or not Putin's daughters have significant assets outside of Russia, the effort to penalize them is mostly considered symbolic.

On the other hand, the list was intended to draw the notice of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin, per Business Insider, has two daughters from his previous marriage to Ludmila Putina. The two children are Katerina Tikhonovna, a gymnast, and Maria Vorontsova, a medical researcher.

According to Time, Katerina and Mariya's lives have been hidden entirely. The Kremlin has never confirmed their names or released images of the two as adults.

Putin's other children have never been recognized by the Kremlin, and few details about their life have been legally confirmed.

According to Forbes Russia, Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed allegations that he had another child with Alina Kabayeva, his alleged lover, in 2015.

Although it is unclear whether the couple has property outside of Russia, any life of luxury they would have enjoyed in Europe is now likely to be a distant memory.

As part of its latest economic reprisal against Putin, the G7, EU, and the U.S. are claimed to have agreed on a ban on "all new investment" in Russia.

The new penalties will further broaden the scope of restrictions against Russian banks and state-owned enterprises, with the goal of crippling government leaders and their families.

Allegations of 'genocide, atrocities, and war crimes against Ukrainian civilians revealed after Russian troops drew back from their position in Bucha, near Kyiv, are thought to have triggered the latest wave of sanctions.