Freight cars, following Lithuania's ban under EU sanctions of the transit of goods through the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, in Kaliningrad, Russia. Reuters
Freight cars, following Lithuania's ban under EU sanctions of the transit of goods through the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, in Kaliningrad, Russia. Reuters
Freight cars, following Lithuania's ban under EU sanctions of the transit of goods through the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, in Kaliningrad, Russia. Reuters
Freight cars, following Lithuania's ban under EU sanctions of the transit of goods through the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, in Kaliningrad, Russia. Reuters

World

Russia failing to bypass western sanctions, US says

Moscow trying to get high-tech goods for military purposes and its energy sector, official says

Reuters

September 02, 2022

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Russia is trying, but failing, to bypass western sanctions on high-tech goods for military purposes and its energy sector, and it is struggling to obtain international funding, US State Department sanctions co-ordinator James O'Brien said on Friday.

Europe, the US, Canada, Japan and Britain imposed a series of sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine in February, blocking its access to its own foreign exchange reserves, financial markets and advanced western technology to reduce the Kremlin's ability to wage war.

“We see sanctions as working,” Mr O'Brien told reporters during a visit to Brussels for talks with European Union officials. “We know Russia is trying to obtain equipment and finance. We don't think it's doing well.”

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“We see a lot of substitution of lower-quality items: consumer-grade electronics for military-grade targeting and communications equipment,” he said. “If they want to try to use it for a purpose it's not intended for, that's great do-it-yourself, but not a way to run a modern armed conflict or an economy.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the West's economic “blitzkrieg” has failed though has admitted that $1.8 trillion in damage has been done to the economy.

Some EU officials are concerned that China or India might help Moscow bypass sanctions by selling dual-use equipment that could be used for military purposes, but Mr O'Brien said Russia had tried and failed to obtain materiel this way.

“Russia is now in a situation of having to buy from unfamiliar vendors at uncertain prices and to obtain equipment of unknown quality. There is no way to run a modern economy on that basis,” he said.

He said western countries would seek to increase pressure on Moscow in the coming months, closing off potential loopholes in the sanctions regime and a particular focus on “choke points” in the Russian economy.

Witanhurst is located in Highgate Village above Hampstead Heath, London. Photo: Keith Newformula
Witanhurst is located in Highgate Village above Hampstead Heath, London. Photo: Keith Newformula
London neighbourhoods favoured by Russian owners are Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Hampstead and Highgate, the wealthiest areas of the capital. Getty Images
London neighbourhoods favoured by Russian owners are Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Hampstead and Highgate, the wealthiest areas of the capital. Getty Images
The Russian billionaire Andrey Guryev owns Witanhurst, the second largest private residence in London after Buckingham Palace, and has 65 rooms, 25 bedrooms and a ballroom. Getty Images
The Russian billionaire Andrey Guryev owns Witanhurst, the second largest private residence in London after Buckingham Palace, and has 65 rooms, 25 bedrooms and a ballroom. Getty Images
Witanhurst was bought by the Guryev family through an offshore company called Safran Holdings, located in the tax haven of the British Virgin Islands, for £50 million in 2008. Getty Images
Witanhurst was bought by the Guryev family through an offshore company called Safran Holdings, located in the tax haven of the British Virgin Islands, for £50 million in 2008. Getty Images
Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko in Moscow, Russia, in February 9, 2018. Reuters
Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko in Moscow, Russia, in February 9, 2018. Reuters
The 118-metre superyacht belonging to Mr Melnichenko anchored in the port of Ras Al Khaimah. AP
The 118-metre superyacht belonging to Mr Melnichenko anchored in the port of Ras Al Khaimah. AP
Mr Melnichenko was slapped with sanctions by the US Treasury Department on Tuesday. AP
Mr Melnichenko was slapped with sanctions by the US Treasury Department on Tuesday. AP
'Motor Yacht A' is seen moored on the River Thames beside the 'HMS Belfast' in London in 2016. Reuters
'Motor Yacht A' is seen moored on the River Thames beside the 'HMS Belfast' in London in 2016. Reuters
'Motor Yacht A' is seen near the harbour in Monaco on May 4, 2017. Reuters
'Motor Yacht A' is seen near the harbour in Monaco on May 4, 2017. Reuters
The superyacht belonging to Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, which has been sequestered by Italian police, is seen at the port of Trieste, Italy, on March 12, 2022. Reuters
The superyacht belonging to Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, which has been sequestered by Italian police, is seen at the port of Trieste, Italy, on March 12, 2022. Reuters
Mr Melnichenko's sailing yacht in Trieste, Italy, on March 10, 2022. It is the largest private sail-assisted motor yacht in the world. AFP
Mr Melnichenko's sailing yacht in Trieste, Italy, on March 10, 2022. It is the largest private sail-assisted motor yacht in the world. AFP
Russian oligarch Dmitry Pumpyanskiy. Photo: Kremlin.ru
Russian oligarch Dmitry Pumpyanskiy. Photo: Kremlin.ru
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Mr Pumpyanskiy in July 2014. Photo: Kremlin.ru
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Mr Pumpyanskiy in July 2014. Photo: Kremlin.ru
The superyacht 'Alfa Nero' is owned by Andrey Guryev. Photo: Schnippchen
The superyacht 'Alfa Nero' is owned by Andrey Guryev. Photo: Schnippchen
The 'Alfa Nero' in the Port of Antibes on the French Riviera. Photo: Wikipedia
The 'Alfa Nero' in the Port of Antibes on the French Riviera. Photo: Wikipedia
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

Whiile you're here
EXPATS
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Kareem Shaheen on Canada
While you're here
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More from this package
More from this package
Avengers: Endgame

Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin

4/5 stars 

On Women's Day
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
THREE
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Updated: September 02, 2022, 5:05 PM`
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