US President Joe Biden’s administration added five companies in China to its trading blacklist on Tuesday for allegedly supporting Russia’s military.
The US Department of Commerce that oversees the trade blacklist, said the companies had supplied items to Russian "entities of concern" before the February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
The Commerce Department added that they "continue to contract to supply Russian entity listed and sanctioned parties.", Reuters reports.
It comes as the department added an additional 31 countries to the trading blacklist, including Russia, UAE, Pakistan, Lithuania, Singapore, the UK, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
According to the register, 25 of the companies blacklisted have China based operations.
In a statement, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, Alan Estevez, said: "Today's action sends a powerful message to entities and individuals across the globe that if they seek to support Russia, the United States will cut them off as well."
The blacklisting of the companies means they can’t receive shipments from the US, and will need a Commerce Department license before they can be shipped to China.
The Embassy of China in Washington said Beijing had not provided military assistance to Russia or Ukraine.
It said it would take "necessary measures" to protect the rights of its companies, arguing that the sanctions violate international law.
G7 leaders attended the G7 summit in the five-star Schloss Elmau hotel, in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, and Ukraine was top of the agenda..
The international conference ran from June 26 to June 28.
What countries are part of the G7?
The Group of Seven economic powers includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US.
The seven agreed to explore measures to impose a price cap on Russian oil imports.
The summit saw leaders discuss the pressing issue of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, along with Climate Change, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, sustainability, health lives, and economic stability were discussed..
- Canada - Justin Trudeau
- France - President Emmanuel Macron
- Germany - Chancellor Olaf Scholz
- Italy - Prime Minister Mario Draghi
- Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga
- UK - Prime Minister Boris Johnson
- USA - President Joe Biden
- EU President - Ursula von der Leyen
- European Council President - Charles Michel
On Tuesday, the G7 leaders put out a statement pledging tougher sanctions on Russia, and a united stance to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes” against Moscow’s invasion.
On Monday, the Russian Armed Forces fired missiles at the Amstor shopping mall in the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast.
The Russian missile strike killed at least 18 people in the blast, with 59 injured.
It comes as the US pledged a $450 million defence aid package to Ukraine.
READ MORE:
- People unable to get through to emergency services after system outage lasting over an hour
- Hopes of justice for Michaela McAreavey dashed as case against man on theft charge is thrown out
- Reality star Paddy Doherty says Joe Joyce 'did not intend to kill anyone' and asks God to forgive him
- Rats, mice and diseased rabbits plagued child detention centre housing Ana Kriegel's killers
Employers to be banned from using 'service charge' on receipts unless cash goes to workers
