U.S. Government Urges Companies to Halt Shipments to Russian Parties in Ongoing Efforts to End Ukraine Invasion

The U.S. government is urging American companies to stop shipping goods to more than 600 foreign parties over concerns that these items could be used by Russia in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Assistant Secretary Matthew Axelrod revealed on Thursday that the Commerce Department has issued warnings to at least 20 companies in an attempt to disrupt Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.

These companies are involved in the production and sale of products that have been found in missiles and drones recovered in Ukraine, despite the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries on Russia following its invasion in 2022. Despite these efforts, American components continue to be identified in Russian weapons left on the battlefield in Ukraine.

At the department’s annual export control conference in Washington, D.C., Axelrod disclosed that letters had been sent to American companies containing a list of more than 600 foreign parties. The companies were asked to voluntarily cease shipping to these parties due to the high risk of transshipment to Russia. In addition to these measures, senior U.S. officials from the Commerce, State, and Treasury departments have been engaging with leaders of U.S. companies to explore further actions they can take to prevent their products from being used by Russia.

The U.S government’s stance is clear: American companies must take responsibility for their actions and do their part in helping end Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine by halting shipments of goods that could be used for military purposes.

The Commerce Department’s efforts are just one part of a broader effort by the U.S government to put pressure on Russia and prevent it from continuing its aggression towards Ukraine.

As Axelrod stated during his speech at the export control conference, “We will not tolerate any form of support for Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine.”