The United States published Friday a list of 39 firms with ties to Russia’s military and intelligence agencies whose clients and partners face sanctions under a new US law.
The companies named include mainstays of Russia’s export industry such as the huge military arms and vehicle supplier Rosoboronexport and iconic firearms pioneer Kalashnikov.
Appearing on the list does not mean that the firms themselves face sanctions, but measures may be taken against entities that conduct “significant transactions” with them.
The State Department produced the list in response to the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which Congress passed in July despite White House opposition.
“The intent of Congress and the administration is to use section 231 of the act to respond to Russia’s malign behavior with respect to the crisis in eastern Ukraine, cyber intrusions and attacks, and human rights abuses,” a senior State Department Official told reporters.
“This section of the act targets significant transactions with persons in the defense and intelligence sectors of the Russian government, which could include the sale of advanced Russian weaponry around the world.”
The State Department had proved the list to Congress on Thursday, 25 days later than it was mandated to have done so under the law, and the ban is due to come into effect in late January.
AFP