U.S. targets 150 Entities Linked to Supplying Weapons Technology to Russia

In what is one of the largest sanctions packages announced by the U.S. State and Treasury departments, Washington on Thursday issued a fresh round of sanctions against over 150 entities involved with helping Russia evade sanctions and supporting Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

Those involved with helping Russia include businesses and people in Türkiye, Georgia, the UAE, Russia, and more.

According to Reuters, the latest designations target shipping and trade companies involved in helping repair sanctioned vessels linked to Russia’s defence ministry, while also helping with the transfer of “dual-use goods,” items that have both civilian and military applications.

It also targets those that sell Western technology to Moscow that could be used to fuel its war in Ukraine.

However, watchers have raised concerns over the fact that some of the entities targeted in Washington’s latest sanctions package are from Türkiye.

The U.S. imposed sanctions on five Turkish companies and one Turkish national, linked with helping Russia evade sanctions and supporting Moscow in its war in Ukraine.

However, the U.S. State Department says it’s not worried that measures taken against Turkish firms will derail Sweden’s NATO bid.

Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor said: “We have a constructive, warm relationship with the Turkish government. They are an important ally of ours.  We don’t see that in any way these sanctions should have any impact at all on that accession.”

Meanwhile, Washington says it will not hesitate to take action if Pyongyang does forge ahead with providing weapons to Moscow, as speculated, following the upcoming summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Tuesday, any arms transfer from North Korea to Russia would violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions. “And we, of course, have aggressively enforced our sanctions against entities that fund Russia’s war effort. And we will continue to enforce those sanctions and will not hesitate to impose new sanctions, if appropriate on North Korea.”

Also amongst those sanctioned by the U.S. on Thursday, is Russia’s largest vehicle manufacturer, Avtovaz, and a major local copper producer, the Russian Copper Company.