NEW PENALTIES
After the G7 meeting, the leaders stated the nations would have “unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes”, including the possibility of further sanctions.
European Union countries later overcome internal disagreements and announced a 10th round of sanctions.
The US State Department’s sanctions included Russian cabinet ministers, and dozens of governors and regional chiefs.
The US Treasury Department’s new measures hit 22 Russian individuals and 83 entities, adding to more than 2,500 sanctions imposed over the past year.
Increased US tariffs will also be levied on more than 100 Russian metals, minerals and chemical products worth about US$2.8 billion to Russia.
The US also planned to announce US$250 million in aid to shore up Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the face of Russian attacks.
Neighbouring Moldova will get US$300 million to help wean itself from energy dependence on Russia.
US prosecutors also announced steps to charge a Russian national with illegally exporting counterintelligence equipment and to seize the New York apartment and other properties worth US$75 million belonging to Putin associate Viktor Vekselberg, whom Washington imposed sanctions on most recently last year.
While multiple rounds of Western sanctions have damaged the Russian economy, Putin can still fund his war.
That has prompted officials to focus increasingly on third parties that are helping Russia dodge the sanctions.
The US Treasury included penalties on more than 30 people and companies from Switzerland, Germany and other nations for helping Moscow finance its war against Ukraine.
The US Commerce Department, meanwhile, is imposing export curbs on nearly 90 Russian and third-country companies, including in China, for engaging in sanctions evasion in support of Russia’s defense sector and to stop them from buying items like semiconductors.
They are also working to prevent components found in Iranian drones from making their way to the Ukraine battlefield, officials said.
Washington has warned, without producing evidence, that China is considering providing weapons to Russia. China has said more weapons would worsen the conflict.
The Biden administration has committed more than US$32 billion in military aid over the past year to Ukraine, including 8,500 Javelin anti-armor systems and 38 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and a number of different types of drones, according to the Defence Department.
Source: CNA
