Statement from ISRP on U.S. Department of State’s Sanctions on Russian Individuals and Organizations

WASHINGTON, September 16 – Yesterday, the U.S. Department of State announced “additional actions to impose cost on Russia for its heinous aggression against Ukraine.” These actions include sanctions on high-ranking Russian government officials, human rights abusers within Russia, and the Russian defense industrial base – all of which have been involved in actions intended to harm the people of Ukraine and violate their sovereignty.

Among those sanctioned were five “officials involved in [the] theft of Ukrainian grain on behalf of Russia.”

The Initiative for the Study of Russian Piracy (ISRP) has been investigating the massive Russian theft of both grain and other assets, including steel, and the organization applauds these additional – and necessary – actions.

But the U.S. government must not stop here. The ISRP advocates sanctions against more individuals and organizations complicit in the looting and transshipment of Ukrainian grain, steel, and other assets.

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

“The U.S. State Department has taken a critical step in identifying and punishing Russian individuals and entities involved in the Russian state’s illegal aggression against the Ukrainian people and their sovereignty. We commend the U.S. government for exposing and punishing the misdeeds.

“The ISRP is actively investigating individuals and companies involved in shipping looted Ukrainian grain, steel and other assets to countries such as Syria, Turkey, and Russia. This piracy helps the Russian war effort and prolongs the bloody conflict. We urge the U.S. government to hold these people and entities accountable as well – whether they be Russians or those who are aiding the Russians.”