The European Union (EU) Council has taken decisive action on the eve of the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine by approving the 13th package of sanctions against Russia, on February 23.
Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy, emphasized the significance of the decision, stating, "Today, we are further tightening the restrictive measures against Russia’s military and defence sector, targeting further entities in third countries who supply equipment as well as those responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children. We remain united in our determination to dent Russia’s war machine and help Ukraine win its legitimate fight for self-defense and restore its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty."
Furthermore, the EU has imposed stricter export restrictions on 27 organizations supporting Russia's military-industrial complex. These entities, located in various third countries including India, China, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Türkiye, are implicated in circumventing trade restrictions or supplying components to Russia's military-industrial complex.
The EU has expanded the list of prohibited goods that could enhance Russia's defense sector, including components for drones. Additionally, restrictions have been introduced on the export of goods contributing to Russia's industrial capabilities, such as electrical transformers.
The latest sanctions build upon previous measures adopted in December 2023, which included a ban on the import of Russian jewelry diamonds and restrictions on the re-export of sensitive goods and technologies.
Uzbekistan under sanctions
On February 23, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has implemented sanctions targeting a native and a company based in Uzbekistan.
Maxim Zagornov, a native of Uzbekistan serving as president of the Russian Small Energy Association and director of Business Russia Trading House in the UAE, has also been targeted by U.S. sanctions. Additionally, Polar Star Logistics, a transportation company in Dubai with an office in Tashkent, providing logistics services for goods distribution to 165 countries, has been affected.
In response to actions aligned with Russia's interests, the U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed export limitations on 93 companies, with the majority being Russian entities. The list also includes eight companies from China, six from Turkey, four from the UAE, two from Kyrgyzstan, and one each from India and South Korea.
In fact, in 2023, sanctions were imposed on two individuals from Uzbekistan Iskander Makhmudov, who leads the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UMMC), Andrei Khokhlun, the founder of Microtech company, on the "Akhangarancement" cement plant in Uzbekistan and the Akkermann Cement CA company, which is a subsidiary of Alisher Usmanov's USM holding. In March 2022, Usmanov was added to the sanctions rosters of the European Union and Japan. According to the EU, Usmanov is categorized as one of the "state businessmen," acting as proxies for the Kremlin to manage financial affairs, with their positions contingent on the president. The EU further accuses Usmanov of backing efforts contributing to the "destabilization of Ukraine."
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