Yesterday, the U.S. State Department announced ("Additional Wweeping Measures”)[https://www.state.gov/taking-additional-sweeping-measures-against-russia-2/] against Russia, that is, even more sanctions. “The Department of State is imposing sanctions on over 90 entities and individuals engaged in sanctions evasion and those complicit in furthering Russia’s ability to wage its war against Ukraine. Our actions today also target Russia’s future energy capabilities, which will limit Moscow’s ability to funnel future revenues toward its destructive aims. Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury is imposing further sanctions on multiple networks used by Russia to circumvent our existing sanctions. The Treasury Department is also designating key manufacturing and other firms supporting Russia’s industrial base, as well as additional Russian financial institutions.”
The U.S. Treasury Department, in a separate press release, produced a long list of individuals, firms, and other entities that are now subject to sanctions. “Today’s sanctions focus on individuals and entities abetting Russia’s unconscionable war against Ukraine by providing Russia with much-needed technology and equipment from third countries…. With these designations, Treasury is disrupting producers, exporters, and importers of nearly all of the high-priority items identified by the international coalition imposing sanctions and export controls on Russia.” The sanctions target the oil and gas industry in Russia, but also includes dozens of individuals and companies in Türkiye, the U.A.E. and China.
Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov, during an interview with Rossiya 1 TV, called the new sanctions futile. “New anti-Russian sanctions were announced just today,” he said. “Many foreign companies trying to work with Russia under these circumstances have been sanctioned.”
