TV channels, bulldozers and 2600 people. New US sanctions on Russia

Sanctions on Russian TV channels

American authorities prohibit American companies from supplying equipment to Channel One, Rossiya-1 and NTV. The restriction will also apply to advertisements on these “popular state-owned or state-controlled Russian TV channels.”

This media “makes Putin’s propaganda machine work,” a senior official quoted by TASS told reporters.

Washington believes the three TV channels “in many cases rely on Western technology to broadcast propaganda.” For this reason, US companies are prohibited from selling themselves lighting, server equipment, and software.

“Russia could try to manufacture these components domestically, but the idea is to make it not profitable but commercially difficult to put more strain on the Russian state,” he said.

As for advertising, American officials are confident that “Western companies were among the main advertisers of these TV channels”. According to the White House, “ad revenue exceeded $300 billion” last year.

It is emphasized that after the Russian Federation’s special military operation in Ukraine, many Western companies decided to “reduce their commercial activities through these channels”. “We want to make sure decisions are taken and send a broader message that US companies should not finance Russian propaganda,” the US administration official said.

The US Treasury has approved a deadline of June 7 to complete transactions with Channel One, Rossiya-1 and NTV.

… against the army and 2600 citizens of Russia and Belarus …

In addition, the United States restricts the issuance of visas to the Russian military and prohibits 2,600 citizens of Russia and Belarus from crossing its border. Washington believes these individuals continue to strive to “undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.”

These restrictions are set out in a document issued by the White House in connection with the US and EU’s intention to impose additional restrictive measures against Russia. The restrictions are given in the section “Sanctions against the Russian elite and their families” and in the section “Visa restrictions for Russian and Belarusian officials who undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine”. There is no name on the list.

…against the management of Russian banks…

Names are on other lists – Russians from the banking industry. The “black list” included 27 from Gazprombank and eight from Sberbank.

In justification, the US Treasury document states that Sberbank is “the largest Russian financial institution, holding about a third of all banking assets in Russia.”

In the example of Gazprombank, “the main route by which Russia sells gas to Europe.”

The White House does not freeze its assets or prohibit any transactions with it. “Still, we do not want Gazprombank to be perceived as a safe haven. Therefore, we take action against their leaders to create a deterrent effect,” he said.

The sanctions affected the Moscow Industrial Bank, as well as ten of its subsidiaries.

“Together, today’s steps represent a continuation of Russia’s systematic and methodical disconnection from the global financial and economic system. The sign is that there will be no safe haven in the Russian economy as long as the occupation continues. [президента России Владимира] Putin,” the official added (quote from TASS).

…and export and other restrictions

In addition, the USA decided to limit the supply of industrial products, including engines and bulldozers. Thus, the country’s authorities want to “directly harm Russia’s military efforts.”

According to the White House, parallel sanctions were also introduced by the EU, which strengthened control over chemical products.

“These new measures [экспортного] The management official said the controls would further limit Russia’s access to the components it needs to renew and renew its military capabilities.

In addition, the United States prohibits the provision of auditing, consulting and marketing services to Russian companies in order to avoid circumvention of possible sanctions and concealment of wrongfully acquired wealth. Some ships under the Russian flag also came under sanctions.