US to help partners 'build capacity' to support sanctions against Russia

“The Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction of the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (US Department of State. - 

) is building the potential of foreign partners in order to facilitate the application of bilateral sanctions imposed against Russia for its unprovoked aggression in Ukraine.

These sanctions not only impose costs on Russia and Belarus, but are also a critical tool for maintaining international unity, and (are an opportunity. - 

) for partners to demonstrate their support for Ukraine, ”the document says.

According to the American side, Moscow is currently allegedly using oil and gas supplies, as well as related infrastructure, to exert “political and economic pressure” on countries that, among other things, refuse to recognize Russia’s “illegal occupation” of Ukrainian territories.

In turn, the income that Russia receives from the export of resources allows it to conduct a special operation in Ukraine, according to the State Department.

All of this is happening despite international sanctions against Russia that the Kremlin “and its siloviki entourage” are allegedly trying to circumvent.

“To combat Russian efforts to circumvent sanctions, the Office is focusing on cooperation aimed at building foreign capabilities in the following areas: financial and capital markets, aviation, shipping, oil and gas, logistics…” the grant description reads.

In particular, we are talking about providing assistance to foreign partners in identifying Russian and Belarusian firms that have fallen under sanctions and restricting their access to international supply chains.

In addition, the text mentions the risks that may be faced by representatives of foreign public and private sectors investing in Russian oil and gas infrastructure and cooperating with Russian and Belarusian companies from the spheres of air and sea transportation (which are subject to sanctions).

The State Department understands partner countries as including Armenia, Georgia, Serbia, Turkey, Panama, Mongolia, Singapore, India, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

As follows from the document, the United States is ready to allocate $5.97 million to achieve the goals. The size of one grant can vary from $50,000 to $250,000.

Earlier, the US Congressional Research Center proposed to consider how the States can "help" the countries of Central Asia reduce their dependence on Russia.

In particular, the new report of the American government service spoke about the strengthening of relations with Kazakhstan.