The United States sanctioned more than 150 companies and individuals on Wednesday for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, raising the pressure on Moscow days before US President Joe Biden steps down and Donald Trump returns to the White House.
The US State Department announced it was designating “more than 150 individuals and entities involved in Russia’s defence industry and supporting its military industrial base”, adding that these actions would constrain its ability to wage war and evade sanctions.
“These designations encompass dozens of companies outside Russia that facilitate Russia’s evasion of our sanctions, particularly in the People’s Republic of China (PRC),” it said in a statement.
The Biden administration has been ramping up its sanctions in recent weeks in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, which Republican president-elect Trump has vowed to bring to a swift end once he takes office on Monday.
Wednesday’s announcements come less than a week after the United States unveiled sweeping sanctions against Russia’s energy sector, designating more than 180 ships as well as Russian oil majors Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas.
