US imposes sanctions on multiple nations to curb Russian war capabilities in Ukraine News
LukasJohnns / Pixabay
US imposes sanctions on multiple nations to curb Russian war capabilities in Ukraine

The US Department of Treasury announced on Thursday a round of sanctions on 130 firms and people from Türkiye, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as it tries to restrict Russia’s access to essential tools and equipment that support its invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions are aimed at the production of technology, equipment and other dual-use critical components Russia relies on to replenish its weapons systems. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, “Russia is dependent on willing third-country individuals and entities to resupply its military and perpetuate its heinous war against Ukraine and we will not hesitate in holding them accountable.”

Berk Turken is among the individuals facing sanctions due to his involvement in a procurement network linked to Russian intelligence services. In addition, a network operating out of the UAE has been targeted for its alleged role in illicit Russian finances. The sanctions also extend to three Chinese entities. According to the Treasury Department, two of these entities have been conducting a substantial number of shipments, including electro-optical equipment, cameras and various other items. Another Chinese entity has been found shipping radar components to firms based in Russia.

This comes as the US State Department also announced sweeping sanctions on over 200 firms and people. These sanctions target those involved in the evasion of previously issued sanctions and aim to restrict Russia’s future energy capabilities. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “Our actions today also target Russia’s future energy capabilities, which will limit Moscow’s ability to funnel future revenues toward its destructive aims.”

The recent rounds of sanctions build upon the extensive list of financial penalties imposed on Russian infrastructure, officials, banks and oligarchs since the start of the war in Ukraine. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US and its allies have frozen funds from the Russian Central Bank, limited access of Russian banks to SWIFT, a key global financial transaction system and enforced a price cap of $60 per barrel on Russian oil and diesel.

In a speech on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the US for introducing new sanctions. He emphasized the importance of fully implementing each sanction, stating, “This is what is needed.”

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