The Biden administration on Wednesday increased restrictions on exports of certain technologies to Russia and Belarus.
The new controls will prevent US companies from exporting certain sensitive items that would support Belarus’ defense, aerospace and maritime industries, which the government said helped Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That move will extend to Belarus to the same restrictions that the United States imposed on Russia on Feb. 24, preventing items such as technology and software from being routed through Belarus to restricted sectors in Russia, the department said.
Companies around the world that use US software or technology to manufacture their products will also be barred from shipping certain sensitive items to Belarus, while Belarusian military entities will face even stricter restrictions on the global goods they ship. can buy.
The Commerce Ministry also said it would take action to stop the flow of key technologies to Russian oil refineries, which are a major source of revenue for the Russian military. The Biden administration previously avoided imposing certain financial sanctions on Russia’s oil and natural gas industries in order to maintain global energy supplies and avoid inflation. But the government said the measure would come into effect over time, gradually reducing Russia’s status as an energy supplier without harming American consumers.
Certain companies and institutions that have supported the Russian or Belarusian military will also be added to a blacklist that restricts their purchase of US products.
Gina M. Raimondo, the trade minister, said the determination of the Ukrainian people had “provided a strong international response”.
“The Commerce Department will continue to lead strong, coordinated action with our global allies and partners to put maximum pressure on Russia, its enabler Belarus and all other parties willing to support them,” she said.
