<p class="MsoNormal">The sanctions by Western nations and Japan target Russian <a href="https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/featured/politics-security/biden-announces-1st-tranche-of-sanctions-against-russia" target="_blank">financial</a> institutions and elites while Germany halted approval for the $11 billion <a href="https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/industry/energy/germany-stops-approval-of-%2411-billion-nord-stream-2-pipeline-with-russia" target="_blank">Nord Stream </a>2 pipeline.</p>
