The US Department of Commerce has announced the introduction of new significant sanctions against the Russian Federation, marking the first such action since Donald Trump assumed the US presidency. Unlike previous measures, these are secondary sanctions targeting companies from countries that continue economic cooperation with Russia, rather than sanctions directly on Russia itself.
The list includes countries such as China, India, Turkey, Singapore, the UAE, Iran, and even Taiwan. These sanctions affect companies from these states trading with Russia. The US thereby shows its willingness not only to impose new tariffs but also to sanction firms supporting trade with Moscow. This move also serves as a signal to EU partners who may not be able to introduce high tariffs but can join the sanctioning of businesses linked to Russia.
The effectiveness of such measures, however, remains in question. Countries of the so-called global south largely have not joined Western sanctions, sometimes using the sanctions regime for their own economic benefit. For some, such as China and Iran, support for Russia is both an economic and political challenge to the West.
Against the backdrop of Russia's recent drone attacks on Poland, a NATO and EU member, a US response became inevitable. Donald Trump is thus compelled to react, adding leverage for potential negotiations with the Kremlin. New sanctions intensify economic pressure on Russia, and the perceived threat to the stability of Putin’s regime could be used as an argument in talks with the West.
In order to get the Russian president to consider ending the war, it is essential to introduce new sanctions and allow Ukraine to target vital Russian facilities. Economic isolation and the weakening of Russia's energy potential may prove decisive in ending the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
