United States, Japan impose new sanctions on Russia

Nikkei Asia reports that in a joint statement the G7 leaders "reaffirmed our commitment to stand together against Russia's illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine."

A senior U.S. official said that Washington and its partners had had very specific discussions about new sanctions.

"The new sanctions were planned "in support of the G-7 leaders' commitment today to further target those operating in sectors key to Russia's military-industrial base," including businesses involved in aerospace, quantum computing and finance," the US Treasury Department said.

It is noted that the statement includes sanctions against 22 individuals and 104 organisations imposed by the US Treasury Department. The US State Department also imposed sanctions against about 200 individuals, organisations, vessels and aircraft.  The US Department of Commerce also significantly expanded its export controls on Russia, adding 71 organisations to the list.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Japanese government announced additional sanctions against Russia, including freezing the assets of about 100 individuals and organisations that are trying to circumvent existing sanctions.

Japan will ban exports for about 80 Russian organisations associated with the Russian armed forces. These companies will also be banned from providing architectural and engineering services to Russian customers.

• At the summit in Japan’s Hiroshima, the Group of Seven (G7) reaffirmed its commitment to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine. 

• Canada has expanded the list of anti-Russian sanctions in response to Russia's continuing aggressive war against Ukraine. The restrictions apply to 17 individuals and 18 organisations, relatives of sanctioned persons and members of the Kremlin elite.