Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1497322
Sanctions against Russia 44 Commons Library Research Briefing, 22 March 2023 Luxury goods The US also announced that it would ban imports of Russian diamonds, vodka and seafood, key sectors of the Russian economy. 171 The export of luxury goods from the US to Russia will also be prohibited. Task Force KleptoCapture The US Justice Department has also announced the creation of Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement taskforce dedicated to implementation of the US sanctions regime against Russia. 172 It is intended to complement the transatlantic task force announced on 26 February that will work to identify and seize the assets of sanctioned individuals and entities. An ongoing response to alleged Russian atrocities in Ukraine On 6 April 2022, and in concert with allies, the US announced that it would take additional "major steps" to "degrade the economy of the Russian Federation in response to Russia's continued brutal war against Ukraine and atrocities against Ukrainian citizens". 173 Among the measures announced were: • Full blocking sanctions on Sberbank, Russia's largest state-owned bank, and 42 of its subsidiaries and Alfa Bank, Russia's largest private bank, and six of its subsidiaries. • Sanctions against President Putin's daughters and Sergey Lavrov's daughter and against Sergey Lavrov's wife, Maria Lavrova. • Sanctions against the remaining members of the Russian National Security Council not previously designated in February 2022 (see above), including former President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. • A ban on new investment in Russia. 174 • The designation of state-owned enterprises, including the diamond company Alrosa, and the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC). Eight board members of USC were also sanctioned. 175 Both companies are already sanctioned by the UK and the EU. 176 On 8 May the US Treasury announced additional sanctions measures. Individuals and entities "critical to Russia's ability to wage war against Ukraine" were targeted, including: • The Board members of Sberbank and Gazprombank. 171 US Department of the Treasury, Executive Order on Prohibiting Certain Imports, 11 March 2022 172 US Department of Justice, Press release, 2 March 2022 173 US Department of the Treasury, Press release, 6 April 2022 174 US Department of the Treasury, Press release, 6 April 2022 175 US State Department, Fact Sheet, 7 April 2022 176 US Department of the Treasury, Press release, 7 April 2022