US sanctions hundreds for supporting Russian war efforts

WASHINGTON: The US unveiled sanctions on Wednesday against almost 400 people and firms in more than a dozen countries it accuses of supplying Russia with advanced technology to support its “war machine.”

The US Treasury Department announced sweeping sanctions against 275 individuals and entities in countries including India, China, Switzerland and Turkiye aimed at “disrupting global evasion networks.”

“The United States and our allies will continue to take decisive action across the globe to stop the flow of critical tools and technologies that Russia needs to wage its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine,” Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement.

“As evidenced by today´s action, we are unyielding in our resolve to diminish and degrade Russia´s ability to equip its war machine and stop those seeking to aid their efforts through circumvention or evasion of our sanctions and export controls,” he added.

The Treasury´s actions were supported by additional sanctions from the US State department aimed at tackling entities supporting Russia´s war efforts. “Building on the unprecedented measures we have already imposed in coordination with our allies and partners, the United States is today imposing sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals for enabling Russia´s illegal war against Ukraine,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

“The Department of State is targeting sanctions circumvention by parties in multiple third countries, several senior Russian Ministry of Defense officials and defense companies, and those that support the development of Russia´s future energy production and exports,” he added.

The Commerce Department also unveiled trade restrictions against 40 foreign entities over “their support for the Kremlin´s illegal war in Ukraine.” Commerce also tightened existing restrictions on a further 49 foreign entities from countries including China, Britain and the United Arab Emirates “to address their procurement of high-priority US-branded microelectronics and other items on behalf of Russia.”

“American products do not belong in the hands of those who prop up Russia´s defence industrial base,” Alan Estevez, Commerce´s under secretary for industry and security said in a statement.