On the anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the US has announced new sanctions against Moscow. The punitive measures, which target banks and the defense industry, among others, target "200 individuals and entities, including both Russian actors and those from third countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, who support Russia's war effort," the White House said Friday. In addition, measures would be taken to make it more difficult for Russia to circumvent sanctions that have already been adopted.

The US has imposed a series of harsh sanctions on Moscow since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Affected by the punitive measures announced on Friday include "a dozen Russian financial institutions" as well as Russian officials and pro-Kremlin authorities "operating illegally in Ukraine."

According to the White House, the US Department of Commerce will impose export controls on nearly 90 companies from Russia and third countries such as China for "engaging in activities to circumvent sanctions and replace purchases in support of the Russian defense sector." The companies concerned will be prohibited from buying products such as semiconductors manufactured in the US or with US technology and software abroad.

With the new package of sanctions, which had been decided in coordination with the G7 partners, the US also targeted the Russian metal and mining sector. For example, an increase in tariffs on more than a hundred Russian metals, minerals and chemicals worth about 2.8 billion US dollars was decided. "This will also significantly increase the cost of aluminum smelted or cast in Russia to enter the U.S. market," the White House said.

At their virtual summit meeting on Friday to mark the anniversary of the start of the war, the G7 states want to set up a coordination mechanism to enforce sanctions. According to the White House, the US will take over the chairmanship of the new body in the first year.