The inner circle of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, will be affected by further sanctions, as wanred by the USA, that they will impose against Russia, if the Ukrainian crisis is not deescalated.

According to the U.S. deputy national security adviser, Tony Blinken, who spoke to CNN, the next round of sanctions will relate to Russian defense industry, as well as targetted individuals of Putin’s close friends and colleagues.

“Since this week, in coordination with our allies and partners, we will increase pressure on the close associates (of V. Putin), and the companies that run their defense industry”, he stated.

“Putin has a tough choice to make. He has promised his people that he will provide economic growth if they remain politically loyal. At this time, however, he is providing no growth and the pressure we are applying, in conjunction with other countries, are forcing him to make a hard choice”, added the U.S. official.

He predicted that the crisis in the Ukraine and sanctions will hurt Putin politically at home, while in a second interview on NBC, he hinted at the fact that the Russian president might be affected personally by sanctions in the near future.