The United States widened sanctions on Russia Wednesday, targeting more than 300 new entities and people “whose products and services enable Russia to sustain its war effort and evade sanctions.”
A U.S. Treasury Department statement said the list includes dozens of China-based companies as well as entities in Russia and other countries, including Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
“Russia’s war economy is deeply isolated from the international financial system, leaving the Kremlin’s military desperate for access to the outside world,” said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. “Today’s actions strike at their remaining avenues for international materials and equipment, including their reliance on critical supplies from third countries.”
U.S. officials have said that they are worried about Russia’s procurement of advanced semiconductors and optical equipment, despite previous sanctions. These goods are necessary for advanced weapons.
“We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to hinder Russia’s use of the international financial system to conduct its war, to disrupt networks of support for Russia’s military-industrial base, and to increase the costs to Russia as [Vladimir] Putin perpetrates his aggression against Ukraine,” said a statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Since the beginning of the war, the United States has imposed sanctions on over 4,000 Russian businesses and individuals.
The U.S. sanctions come as leaders from the Group of Seven richest economies prepare to meet in Italy for a summit. Top priorities include supporting Ukraine and stopping Russian military production.
