The Russian president’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, did not address questions from journalists about whether Moscow might impose export restrictions in the manner China has used for gallium and germanium. He reiterated that the matter falls under Russia’s authority and suggested that inquiries should be directed to the Russian government for clarification and policy framing.
In early July, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that starting August 1, 2023, export controls on gallium and germanium—precious materials integral to chip production—would be implemented to manage supply. Later, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, stated that the measures were consistent with international practice and were not aimed at any single country, emphasizing a multilateral approach to semiconductors and strategic materials.
Reporting from June indicated that semiconductors from Japanese manufacturers still reached Russia despite broad sanctions imposed after the onset of the military operation in Ukraine. Estimates from Nikkei suggested that Russia had purchased at least two million chips from Japan, worth roughly $11 million. It was also noted that China, including Hong Kong, accounted for more than 70 percent of shipments, followed by trade from South Korea and Turkey. This pattern underscored the persistence of global supply chains even amid punitive measures, with middleware markets continuing to rely on cross-border flows of high-tech components. Attribution: Nikkei, industry observers.
In parallel, the United States extended sanctions related to Russia, signaling a continued effort to constrain access to critical technologies and financial channels. Analysts describe the policy landscape as a mosaic of measures that interact with decisions made by partners and adversaries alike, influencing manufacturers, exporters, and risk managers across the tech sector. The evolving environment highlights how state-level controls can ripple through global markets, affecting pricing, supply reliability, and strategic planning for chipmakers, equipment suppliers, and end users. Attribution: US Treasury statements.