The United States has imposed sanctions on several entities within the Russian Ministry of Defense, as well as on two Russian companies and five Russian citizens.
The U.S. Department of State specified that the individuals and entities in question were included on the sanctions list for their involvement in activities covered by the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA).
The decision was made on July 24, as reported by European Pravda, citing an announcement from the U.S. Department of State published on Tuesday.
The additional sanctions list includes:
- Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense and its units
Russian Ground Forces and its units; - Inter-Service Advanced Research and Special Projects Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense and its units;
- Center 1061 for Material and Technical Assistance.
- Two Russian wholesale trade companies: Gedion Alpha and International Invest.
- Russian citizens Aleksandr Prikhodko, Andrei Gusev, Andrei Kosolapov, Vladislav Morozik, and Sergei Tibarev.
The list also includes individuals and companies from Malaysia, Taiwan, Iran, Syria, China, and North Korea.
The United States is moving closer to adopting a bill on sanctions against Russia, co-sponsored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham who passed away suddenly on July 11.
On July 23, the EU adopted a new package of sanctions against Russia, significantly weakened, ending prolonged negotiations during which several countries sought exemptions to protect their national interests.
The main decisions taken at that time were:
- Approximately 250 new individuals and entities added to the blacklist.
- The price cap for Russian oil remains frozen for 12 months, avoiding automatic limit increases.
- European companies will be allowed, for one year, to transport Russian LNG to non-EU countries, through a waiver obtained by Greece.
- Restrictions on Russians' access to the EU have been limited to short-stay visas for military personnel directly involved in combat.
The European Union is, however, reassessing its sanctions strategy towards Russia, abandoning comprehensive packages in favor of more frequent measures, as noted by the Ukrainian publication.
T.D.