Last Wednesday, the U.S. imposed extensive sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine, targeting entities involved in bypassing previous Western measures. This move signals a significant escalation and underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing such challenges.
The U.S. Treasury Department slapped sanctions on nearly 200 targets, while the State Department designated over 80 entities, marking one of the broadest actions against Chinese companies in Washington’s efforts to target Russia.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on 20 companies located in China and Hong Kong, a move that comes after repeated warnings from Washington regarding China’s backing of Russia’s military actions. These warnings were emphasized during recent visits to China by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
China’s backing of Russia poses a significant challenge to the recent progress in relations between the world’s largest economies. This support is just one among several issues that could potentially undermine the recent positive developments in their relationship.
“Treasury has been clear: companies aiding Russia’s war efforts will face serious repercussions. Today, we’re taking action against nearly 300 targets,” stated Yellen in a strong statement emphasizing the consequences of supporting Russia’s conflict.
Russia’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington, highlighted that the government strictly regulates the export of dual-use items in line with established laws and regulations. He emphasized that the trade and economic interactions between China and Russia adhere to World Trade Organization rules and market principles.
The Chinese side firmly opposes the U.S.’s illegal unilateral sanctions,
Liu Pengyu
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States and its allies have implemented sanctions against thousands of targets. This conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction in cities.
Washington has been actively working to prevent evasion of Western sanctions, including by targeting firms in China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates with sanctions.
On Wednesday, the Treasury Department took action by sanctioning almost 60 targets across several countries including Azerbaijan, Belgium, China, Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Slovakia. These entities were accused of facilitating Russia’s acquisition of crucial technology and equipment from overseas.
As part of the action, the Treasury imposed measures against a Chinese company accused of exporting components for drone production—such as propellers, engines, and sensors—to a Russian counterpart. Additionally, other technology suppliers based in China and Hong Kong were also targeted in the move.
The State Department additionally levied sanctions on four companies based in China, alleging their support for Russia’s defense industrial base by supplying crucial items to entities in Russia already under U.S. sanctions. The sanctions also targeted companies in Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, and Malaysia accused of shipping high-priority items to Russia.
“A senior State Department official emphasized the significant concern regarding Chinese entities supplying materials for Russia’s military efforts. This issue is receiving close attention at the highest levels of the Department and the administration. The reason is straightforward: China is the primary provider of essential components for Russia’s defense industry, which Russia is utilizing in its conflict with Ukraine.”
If China were to cease its support for exporting these items, Russia would find it difficult to maintain its military campaign.
In its latest action on Wednesday, the Treasury Department focused on disrupting Russia’s access to explosive precursors crucial for producing gunpowder, rocket propellants, and other explosives. This included imposing sanctions on two suppliers based in China that were providing these substances to Russia.
The U.S. additionally accused Russia of breaching a worldwide prohibition on chemical weapons.
Furthermore, the State Department broadened its efforts to limit Russia’s future capacity to export liquefied natural gas (LNG), a key commodity for the country.
The State Department designated two vessel operators for their involvement in transporting technology, including concrete legs essential for offshore platforms, for Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project.
Previous U.S. sanctions on Arctic LNG 2, imposed last month, compelled Novatek, Russia’s largest LNG producer, to halt production at the project due to a lack of tankers for fuel shipment.
The State Department also targeted subsidiaries of Russia’s state nuclear power company Rosatom, along with 12 entities within the Sibanthracite group of companies, one of Russia’s major metallurgical coal producers.
Additionally, Washington imposed sanctions on Russian air carrier Pobeda, a subsidiary of Aeroflot.
The U.S. Commerce Department recently placed over 200 Boeing and Airbus aircraft operated by Russian airlines on an export control list, as part of the Biden administration’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In addition, the State Department focused on three individuals linked to the tragic passing of prominent Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Navalny, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, passed away in February while in a Russian Arctic prison. While Russian authorities claim his death was from natural causes, his supporters allege foul play by the authorities, an accusation the Kremlin denies.
Wednesday’s measures aimed at key figures involved in the detention of Alexei Navalny in Russia. Among those targeted were the director of the correctional colony where Navalny was primarily held, the head of the solitary confinement unit, and the head of the medical unit at the facility where he was detained before his passing.
These officials were responsible for overseeing Navalny’s conditions of confinement, including the cells where he was kept in solitary, the area where he reportedly collapsed, and his overall health, particularly in the moments following his collapse, according to the State Department.
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