Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sanctioned seven people and 86 entities, according to an unofficial translation of a notice released April 4. The notice said the parties were being sanctioned to "support proposals made by the Security Service of Ukraine," and added that the country's foreign affairs ministry should "inform the competent authorities of the European Union, the United States of America and other countries about the application of sanctions and raise the issue of introducing similar restrictive measures before them."
The U.S., Australia and the U.K. are making “progress” on creating license-free defense trade among the three countries under the AUKUS partnership, they said in a joint statement this week. They also said they are considering involving Japan in the effort.
Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Mitt Romney, R-Utah, on April 9 introduced a bill that would increase resources for detecting, investigating and preventing violations of U.S. export controls.
The U.S. extended a national emergency authorizing certain sanctions against Russia, the White House said April 9. The White House said Russian efforts to undermine U.S. democratic elections, to “facilitate malicious cyber-enabled activities," to influence foreign governments, and more continue to threaten U.S. national security. The emergency was renewed for one year beyond April 15.
The U.S. has no plans to remove sanctions from Iranian technology company ArvanCloud (see 2306020020) after it was delisted by the EU earlier this month, a State Department spokesperson said.
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The Treasury Department has asked lawmakers to approve a series of proposals to help it counter terrorist groups and other bad actors that increasingly use cryptocurrency to evade financial sanctions, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said April 9.
The Bureau of Industry and Security will add 11 parties to the Entity List for trying to ship or procure export-controlled items for Russia, Iran or to support China’s military modernization efforts, the agency said April 10. The additions include technology companies, logistics firms and one person based in either China, Russia or the United Arab Emirates. Effective April 11, the companies are subject to license requirements for all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations, and licenses will be reviewed either under a presumption of denial or policy of denial, except for certain food or medicine.
Japan issued new Russia trade restrictions, including new export controls and an import ban on certain diamonds, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced, according to an unofficial translation. The measures will take effect April 17 and include export bans on mineral fuels and oils, automotive engine oil, inorganic chemicals and precious metals, plastics, steel products and their parts, tungsten powder, base metal products, boilers and machinery, electrical equipment, yachts and other recreational vessels and optical equipment.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is drafting a rule that could ease certain export restrictions on Australia and the U.K. as the State Department works to loosen similar restrictions under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations as part of the AUKUS partnership.