Statement from ISRP on New U.S. Sanctions in Response to Russia’s Illegal Annexation Efforts

WASHINGTON, October 3 – In response to Russia’s fraudulent attempt to annex sovereign Ukraine territory, President Biden announced new sanctions that will “impose costs on individuals and entities — inside and outside of Russia — that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory.”

This includes targeting individuals and entities evading previous sanctions and expanding prior sanctions to include family members of top Kremlin officials.

The Initiative for the Study of Russian Piracy (ISRP) applauds these actions, but urges the U.S. government to go further.

ISRP has been investigating and exposing the illicit Russian theft of Ukrainian assets including grain and steel, and advocates sanctions against more individuals and organizations complicit in the looting and transshipment of Ukrainian assets.

Amb. James K. Glassman, Chief Spokesperson for ISRP, said the following:

“As the Russians and those aiding them now go to great lengths to circumvent U.S. sanctions on Russia or Belarus, we commend the U.S. government for sending a clear message that we will continue to hold bad actors accountable. But we must cast a wider net.

The ISRP is actively investigating individuals and companies involved in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, steel and other assets to countries such as Syria, Turkey, and Russia. This piracy aids the Russian war effort and prolongs the bloody conflict. Even after committing to open Ukraine’s grain corridor for humanitarian purposes, Russian theft continues and the world pays a heavy price. We urge the U.S. government to hold these individuals and entities accountable as well.”