War on Russia, the United States gives the go-ahead for new sanctions against Putin

The United States has added hundreds of companies and individuals to its Russia sanctions blacklist. The new sanctions have particularly targeted companies and research institutes involved in Moscow’s investments in future energy production, including plans to exploit Arctic resources. They have targeted companies that supply components Russia needs to produce Orlan reconnaissance drones, including a Chinese company. In all, about 300 people, companies, organizations, ships and aircraft have been added to the US Treasury and State Department blacklists. The announcement was made during the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. “Today’s actions will further tighten the grip on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to launch his barbaric invasion,” said US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. “Our collective efforts cut Russia off from the key inputs it needs to equip its military and severely limit the revenues the Kremlin receives to fund its war machine,” he said in a statement. The new sanctions include dozens of Russian defense industry companies, technology dealers, managers of the country’s major gold mines and associates of top Russian officials already blacklisted. They include Russia’s largest gold producer and companies and individuals allegedly involved in the theft of grain from Ukraine.

Particular attention was paid to the institutions involved in the development of Russian energy, including universities that develop and train people in mining and energy conversion technologies, companies that support the oil and coal industry, and institutions that finance development. The Treasury Department said the effort was “taking targeted actions to limit Russia’s future extractive capabilities” after Ukraine’s Western allies imposed a cap on Russia’s oil exports to limit its potential foreign exchange earnings. “Today’s actions implement new commitments made at the G-7 summit, and demonstrate our shared determination to hold Russia accountable for the escalating atrocities in Ukraine,” said Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.