US begins gradual rollback of sanctions on Russia
US sanctions against Russia (Photo: flickr.com)
The US has lifted sanctions on a number of companies and individuals that previously supplied equipment to Russia, including to the defense sector. The reasons for their removal have not yet been disclosed, according to a statement by the US Department of the Treasury.
Removal of companies from the sanctions list
The US has removed several firms from its sanctions lists that had previously supplied sanctioned equipment to Russia, including for the military-industrial complex.
Among them is the Cyprus-based Veles International Limited and its owner, Dmitry Bugayenko. The company is a subsidiary of a Moscow-based investment firm, while the Russian legal entities of the organization remain under sanctions.
Finland and equipment for Russia
The Finnish company Hi-Tech Koneisto and its top manager, Finnish citizen Evgenia Dremova, have also been removed from the sanctions list.
The firm had supplied optoelectronic and laboratory equipment to sanctioned Russian companies.
Exceptions for companies from the UAE and Turkey
Sanctions were lifted on Dubai-based 365 Days Freight Services FZCO and the Turkish company Etasis, which had exported equipment for Russia’s military-industrial complex.
In addition, the Turkish company CPS Proses Kontrol Urunleri Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi supplied German and US-made machinery to a Russian defense contractor.
Reasons for lifting the sanctions
The reasons why the US decided to remove these companies and individuals from the sanctions lists have not yet been disclosed.
There is also no information on what further steps the US side may take regarding the Russian firms associated with them.
The European Council has imposed sanctions on 41 vessels belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers, including port entry bans and restrictions on providing services related to maritime transport.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is developing new sanctions against Russia’s energy sector to increase pressure on Putin should he refuse to accept the US-proposed peace plan.
