View of the Moscow Kremlin – illustrative photo.
Washington – On the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States announced a new wave of sanctions in an attempt to weaken the Russian war machine and punish those who support Moscow's policies. The measures by the Departments of Finance and Commerce target entities in Russia and elsewhere that contribute to Russia's ability to make war or help circumvent previous anti-Russian sanctions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in turn affectshundreds of Russians, including nine members of the government, governors of Russian regions and members of the armed forces.
Advertisement'; }
Economic sanctions introduced in cooperation with partners from the G7 group of economically powerful countries aim to punish 250 people and companies, writes the AP agency with reference to the Ministry of Finance. Among other things, the targets are the mining and processing of metals in Russia, as well as banks or technology companies connected to the production of weapons.
“The move… goes against actors suspected of evading sanctions from countries ranging from the United Arab Emirates to Switzerland,” the AP adds. Citing sources at the Treasury Department, The New York Times (NYT) wrotethat there are more than 30 affected entities operating outside of Russia. Among them are allegedly also companies involved in the production of carbon fibers that may be part of military equipment.
As part of this campaign, the US Department of Commerce added 86 companies to the list of entities that are prohibited from buying certain American products. This is because they are suspected of supporting Russian military efforts. The ministry said 79 of the affected organizations were based in Russia, the rest in China, France, Canada, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
“Sanctions apply to other entities connected to the Russian defense and technology industry, including those that supply Russia with previously banned goods or enable the circumvention of previously imposed sanctions,” the White House commented on the latest tightening of sanctions. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen added that the sanctions regime has short-term and long-term effects, referring to Russia's “isolated” economy and its problems replenishing its arsenal.
Russia has been targeted by unprecedented sanctions from parties of more than 30 countries, but this has not yet eliminated his ability to wage war. “Earlier efforts to use sanctions to deter an invasion have failed, and the already significant sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies during the war have not brought the Russian leader (Vladimir Putin) to the negotiating table,” the NYT noted.
In an effort to increase pressure on Moscow, US President Joe Biden's office today also announced the imposition of a 200 percent tariff on imports of aluminum and derived products from Russia, effective March 10. At the same time, a massive increase in tariffs on Russian products exported to the United States was expected, specifically over a hundred Russian metals, minerals and chemical products worth 2.8 billion dollars (about 62.5 billion crowns) per year.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has added nine Russian ministers to its sanctions list, including Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov or Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, dozens of regional leaders or propagandist Olga Skabeyeva. According to the US sanctions regime, the person in question loses all assets in the US. Washington also announced visa restrictions against more than 1,200 members of the Russian army.
Britain also imposed additional sanctions on the anniversary of the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine, among other things, banning the export of all items that Russia uses on the battlefield. Today, the United States also announced additional military aid to Ukraine worth two billion dollars (about 44.63 billion crowns). In addition, Biden, together with other leaders of the G7 countries, discussed with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky about what additional assistance the G7 could provide to the attacked country. The US has so far provided Ukraine with military aid worth $32 billion (about 714.6 billion crowns), writes Reuters.
