US Prepares New Sanctions Against Russia Targeting Alleged ntermediaries

The Biden administration is preparing a new wave of sanctions aimed at restricting Russia’s access to goods crucial for its military operations, Bloomberg reports, citing Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

These sanctions, expected to be unveiled as early as next week, will target intermediaries in third countries that are allegedly supplying Russia with critical inputs for its military, according to Yellen.

The move represents the latest effort to crack down on Russia’s access to dual-use technologies, which have been used in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. While most direct exports of such technologies to Russia are banned, the West argues that Moscow has found alternative supply routes through third countries, including India, Malaysia, and Thailand.

These new sanctions are expected to go beyond targeting intermediaries, with measures targeting Russia’s energy sector and banks also under consideration.

The US has already imposed a series of sanctions on Russia, including those targeting certain individuals, financial institutions, and industries. However, the effectiveness of these sanctions has been hampered by Russia’s ability to adapt and find alternative supply chains.