Yermak on new US sanctions: By collapsing Russian economy, it to be possible to break Russia's ability to wage war
Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to all the American people, for the large-scale package of sanctions against Russia: "by collapsing the Russian economy, it will be possible to break Russia's ability to wage war," Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said.
"The United States has taken a strong step by announcing a large-scale package of sanctions against Russia. A number of proposals from the McFaul-Yermak group to counter the shadow tanker fleet and Rosatom have been taken into account," Yermak said in a Telegram channel on Friday evening.
The sanctions cover more than 400 individuals and organizations in the Russian energy sector that directly or indirectly provide funding for the military machine.
"The sanctions target the largest players in the Russian oil and gas industry, in particular Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, their subsidiaries, as well as two active terminals for the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The activities of Russian insurance companies such as Ingosstrakh and AlfaStrakhovanie, which insure vessels transporting oil, helping Russia to circumvent the restrictions, have been blocked.
"The entire energy sector of the Russian economy has been identified as harmful activities, which will allow sanctions to be imposed on any person or company operating in this area," Yermak said.
Particular emphasis is placed on restrictions that prevent Russia from avoiding the "price ceilings" on oil introduced by the G7 countries. The sanctions list includes 184 tankers. This decision is supplemented by the closure of access for the remaining vessels of Sovcomflot, which eliminates gaps in the international sanctions system.
In addition, the sanctions affect Rosatom, namely 14 members of the board of directors of the state-owned nuclear corporation. This organization not only supports the Russian military-industrial complex, but is also directly involved in the illegal control of Zaporizhiaa Nuclear Power Plant.
Important aspects of the new sanctions package are as follows: a ban on the provision of services in the field of oil production and transportation, including American and international companies; the introduction of restrictions on LNG terminals in Russia, including Portovaya and Cryogas Vysotsk, which will significantly reduce Russia's export capabilities; recognition of risks for international financial institutions cooperating with Russia or its military structures. Such institutions may be subject to secondary sanctions.