UK Takes on Countries Aiding Russia With 25 New Sanctions

Following a plea from Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelensky, the UK has imposed 25 new sanctions on third countries aiding Russia. She warned that without urgent steps to clamp down on loopholes that allow Russia to fuel its war, the conflict risks continuing endlessly. 

Olena Zelensky highlighted that to combat Putin’s invasion, the world had to impose sanctions and terminate the possibility of circumventing these sanctions. “There are countries that simply underestimate the threat from Russia to think that it is far from them. When there is such a powerful terrorist in the world, no one can feel completely safe.” 

The Ukrainian first lady said some countries continue to conduct trade with Russia through third countries and think that this is acceptable because it is important for their business. “I believe that this is simply and critically wrong. Resources are being spent on this war. But resources will be spent endlessly until Russia’s ability to wage war is stopped.” 

The sanctions are Britain’s largest ever crackdown on countries and companies outside Russia which supply drones and microelectronics to the Kremlin’s defense industry. It includes asset freezes and travel bans. 

The UK foreign office said those caught up in the new sanctions include individuals and businesses in Turkey, Dubai, Slovakia and Switzerland were supporting the illegal war in Ukraine. This move will step up the United Kingdom’s war on Russia’s access to resources. It will definitely have a real impact on a regime that is already being forced to take apart kitchen freezes to harvest low-grade computer chips. 

James Cleverly, UK’s Foreign Secretary, described the latest sanctions as a landmark action. He believes this will further diminish Russia’s arsenal and close the net on supply chains propping up President Vladimir Putin’s struggling defense sector. “There is nowhere for those sustaining Russia’s military machine to hide. The UK, alongside others in the G7 group of advanced nations, had repeatedly warned third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russia’s aggression or face severe costs.” 

Those sanctioned include two Turkey-based businesses – Turkik Union and Azu International; and a Dubai-based Aeromotus Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Trading. Ashot Mkrtychev, a Slovakian national is facing sanctions for attempting an arms deal between North Korea and Russia. And a Swiss national, Anselm Oskar Schmucki.