US Dept. of Commerce adds 36 companies to trade blacklist
In continuation of unilateral sanctions against Russia, the US Departments of State and Commerce targets several entities.
US President Joe Biden's administration announced Tuesday that it has added 36 companies to a trade blacklist, claiming that some of the targetted Chinese firms provided support to Russia’s military and defense industrial base, following the war in Ukraine.
According to the Federal Registry entry, the targets also include companies from Russia, the UAE, Lithuania, Pakistan, Singapore, the UK, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
In a statement following the listing, Alan Estevez, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, pointed out that "today’s action sends a powerful message to entities and individuals across the globe that if they seek to support Russia, the United States will cut them off as well."
US officials had previously confirmed that China was generally complying with the restrictions, but the US government has vowed to closely monitor the Chinese compliance and enforce the regulations.
Thea Rozman Kendler, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, indicated in the same statement that Washington "will not hesitate to act, regardless of where a party is located, if they are violating U.S. law."
US puts Visa restrictions on 511 Russian officers
In a similar context, the US Department of State said the US has targeted 511 Russian military officers operating in Zaporizhzhia and Mariupol, the mayor of Melitopol, and the Federal Security Service in its latest round of sanctions.
"Action to impose visa restrictions on 511 officers of the Russian Federation military, including officers operating in the Zaporizhzhia and Mariupol areas, pursuant to a policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act that applies to those who are believed to have supported, been actively complicit in, or been responsible for ordering or otherwise directing or authorizing actions that threaten or violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of Ukraine," the Department of State release indicated.
The latest move also puts visa restrictions on 18 Russian nationals and Melitopol Mayor Halyna Danylchenko, whom it considers an "illegitimate" mayor.
In addition, the Department of State is targeting three Russian military units - the 76th Guards Air Assault Division and its subordinate 234th Guards Airborne Assault Regiment, as well as the 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, claiming that "these entities operate or have operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy."