The United States has announced sweeping sanctions targeting nearly 300 companies and individuals across several countries, including China and Russia, for their alleged involvement in supporting Russia’s defense industry and circumventing American sanctions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The US Department of the Treasury disclosed that sanctions have been imposed on approximately 200 entities, while the State Department has sanctioned over 80 entities. The primary aim is to disrupt Russia’s capacity to sustain its military operations in Ukraine.
The sanctioned entities, spanning various countries such as Azerbaijan, Belgium, China, Russia, Turkey, the UAE, and Slovakia, are accused of facilitating Russia’s procurement of crucial technology and equipment from overseas.
These measures follow visits by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China, where they raised concerns about Beijing’s alleged commercial support to Russia’s defense sector, aiding Moscow in its military campaign in Ukraine.
Several Chinese companies, including Finder Technology and Juhang Aviation Technology Shenzhen Co, are among those implicated for exporting drone components and other critical supplies to Russia.
Janet Yellen emphasized the significant consequences faced by companies engaging in such support for Russia’s war efforts. Notably, sanctions were also imposed on importers of cotton cellulose and nitrocellulose, essential ingredients for producing gunpowder and explosives in Russia.
Yellen asserted that these sanctions, coupled with increased US assistance to Ukraine, would bolster Kyiv’s position on the battlefield.
During her visit to Beijing, Yellen warned against facilitating transactions for dual-use goods to Russia’s defense industry, highlighting the risk of US sanctions for individuals and corporations involved.
The State Department expanded sanctions to include entities supporting Russia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, targeting vessel operators and subsidiaries of Russia’s state nuclear power company, Rosatom.
Additionally, sanctions were imposed on entities linked to the Arctic LNG 2 project, including a popular budget airline, Pobeda, and individuals allegedly associated with the imprisonment and subsequent death of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny.
While the Russian foreign ministry has not yet responded to the sanctions, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov dismissed the measures as attempts to intimidate Russia. Similarly, the Chinese embassy in Washington criticized the unilateral sanctions, asserting that China adheres to international laws and opposes such actions by the US.