**U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Nearly 400 Firms Over Support to Russia's War Effort**

The United States has sanctioned 398 entities across various countries, including Russia, India, and China, for allegedly providing products and services that bolster Russia's war capacity and aid its efforts to circumvent sanctions. This action, led by the Treasury and State departments, aims to penalize 'third party countries' assisting the Kremlin since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Among those targeted by the Treasury Department are 274 firms accused of supplying Russia with advanced technology. These include companies based in Russia that produce or finish military products crucial for sustaining the weaponry used against Ukraine. Additionally, several senior officials from Russia's Ministry of Defense, along with defense companies, have been sanctioned by the State Department. The sanctions also extend to China-based firms that export dual-use goods aiding Russia's military-industrial base and entities in Belarus linked to the Lukashenko regime's support for Russia.

Wally Adeyemo, Treasury's Deputy Secretary, emphasized the determination of the U.S. and its allies to weaken Russia's capability to equip its military forces and deter third-party entities from aiding these efforts. He stated that the coalition remains steadfast in its resolve to impede Russia's war machine and thwart attempts to evade sanctions and export controls.

This latest sanctioning effort is part of a broader campaign that has seen thousands of sanctions imposed on Russian businesses and their international suppliers since the Ukraine conflict began. Despite these measures, the effectiveness of the sanctions has been debated, especially given Russia's continued economic activity through international oil and gas sales.

In highlighting the limitations of sanctions, the Biden administration has acknowledged that financial penalties alone cannot halt Russia's military aggression. Policy experts have critiqued the sanctions as insufficient, referencing the ongoing growth of the Russian economy as a troubling sign.

In a related development, ties between Russia and North Korea have raised alarms. A senior Treasury official noted that North Korea's increasing involvement, including sending troops to support Russia, underscores Russia's struggle to secure support during the war.

The U.S. has also passed legislation permitting the seizure of Russian state assets within the country to support Ukraine. In a show of international solidarity, the Group of Seven (G7) democracies agreed on a $50 billion loan package to aid Ukraine's fight for survival, leveraging profits from Russia's frozen central bank assets as collateral.