What’s In the United States’ Latest Russia Sanctions Package – Hard to believe though it is, the United States has found new sanctions to levy against Russia.
On Thursday, the United States imposed a new range of sanctions against Russian officials and businesses in a move designed not just to pressure the Kremlin to reverse course in Ukraine, but to limit Russia’s already crippled military manufacturing and defense sector.
Among those sanctioned last week were Russian officials who oversee securities markets operations, as well as Russian and other pro-Kremlin officials working in occupied regions of Ukraine. A children’s rights official, Maria Lvova-Belova, was also sanctioned after being accused of facilitating the removal of Ukrainian children from Ukraine to Russia. Maxim Oreshkin, an economic advisor to the Russian president, as well as the GRU intelligence agency were also included in the latest round of sanctions.
The sanctions mean that any U.S. assets held by those individuals will be frozen, and they will also be prohibited from entering the United States or doing business with American companies or individuals.
A total of 22 individuals were sanctioned.
Sanctions Analysis: Targeting Space and Technology Industries
Already struggling to manufacture advanced weapons and modern tanks, Russia will now face an even tougher time providing its military with weaponry capable of pushing back against Ukraine’s Western-supplied NATO-standard equipment.
The United States Department of Defense announced that 31 technology, defense, space, and electronics companies and entities will also be sanctioned. It means that Russia will not only be unable to import many pieces of Western-manufactured equipment or semiconductors and technology that uses American technology, but key Russian industrial entities will be unable to do business with any American individuals or companies.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the move shows the United States’ commitment to continuing to hold the Russian government to account.
“Those designated today – from perpetrators of violence to an official facilitating the purposeful removal of children from Ukraine – provide examples of the behavior that has become synonymous with the government of Russia’s unprovoked war,” Blinken said.
The move received support from international allies, and the British Minister of Defence recognized the importance of the sanctions at a time when Russia is on the back foot.
“Ukrainian forces continue to consolidate their control of newly liberated ahead of Kharkiv Oblast,” Wallace said, referencing Ukraine’s ongoing counter-offensive. “Russian forces have largely withdrawn from the area west of the Oskil River.”
Russian military drilling with artillery. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
With Russian forces retreating and “regrouping” in Donetsk, sanctions at this time will place further crippling pressure on Russia – though, with a severe shortage of modern weapons already, and Putin committed to his war, it may not be as effective as the White House hopes.
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.
Vangel Vesovski
September 19, 2022 at 8:50 am
What a bunch of crap. Much of the rest of the world cheers Putin as he defends traditional social values and national interests against the US and the Davos crowd that runs the EU. The Utopians seem to have done a massive amount of damage trying to control the global population, and many among them have no interest in taking marching orders from NY or Brussels. With the EU ready to fall apart and with a new Bretton Woods on the horizon, both Europe and the United States are past their peak.
The US has added massive amounts of debt and is now looking at military-related activities consuming as much revenue as is collected from personal income taxes. On the other hand, Russia has been reasonable about its spending. It is seeing the world’s strongest currency because it has the commodities that the world needs and leadership that puts family, Church, and nation first.
I have no idea why this site produces so many anti-American postings while pretending to care about the future of the nation.
jens holm
September 19, 2022 at 10:55 am
“A children’s rights official, Maria Lvova-Belova, was also sanctioned”
Now that’s really crippling to the “Russian war machine”. US will hopefully sanctions all Russian children as well and also all bears in Russia. And trees.
CRS, DrPH
September 19, 2022 at 9:13 pm
Vangel, I cannot think of anyone who sanctions Putin’s orders to torture and kill Ukrainian men, women and children. He should be tried and hung for war crimes, just like the German Nazis that inspire him. I will cheer upon his death. Slava Ukraini!