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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Trump administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on the Chinese military for buying combat aircraft and missile systems from Russia, in violation of a massive US law criminalizing Moscow for its interference in elections 2016.
FILE PHOTO: Sukhoi Su-35 multi-role fighters of the Sokoly Rossii acrobatic team (Falcons of Russia) fly in formation during a demonstration flight at the MAKS 2017 air show in Zhukovsky, near Moscow, Russia, July 21, 2017. REUTERS / Sergei Karpukhin / Photo File
The US State Department said it would immediately impose sanctions on the Department of Equipment Development (EDD), the branch of the Chinese army in charge of weapons and equipment, and its director, Li Shangfu, for carrying out "significant transactions" with Rosoboronexport. exporter of arms.
The sanctions are related to China's purchase of 10 SU-35 combat aircraft in 2017 and S-400 surface-to-air missile equipment in 2018, the State Department said.
They prevent the Chinese agency and Li to apply for export licenses and participate in the US financial system. He also adds them to the list of specially designated people with whom Americans can not do business.
The administration has also blacklisted 33 additional people and entities associated with the Russian military and intelligence services, adding them to a list under the 2017 law, known as Counterings America's # 39; s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.
CAATSA is also seeking to punish Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and its involvement in the civil war in Syria.
Doing meaningful business with anyone on this list can trigger sanctions like those imposed on China.
Some of those added to the list, which now contains 72 names, have been charged in connection with Russia's interference in the US elections, he added.
Earlier Thursday, President Donald Trump issued a decree to facilitate the implementation of sanctions.
A special federal advisor is conducting a criminal investigation into Russia's interference in US elections and possible cooperation with Trump's presidential campaign. Trump insisted that there was no collusion with Russia. Moscow denies any effort to meddle in American politics.
AYÉ IN MOSCOW OR BEIJING?
An official of the US administration, who informed the journalists on condition of anonymity, said that the sanctions imposed on the Chinese agency targeted Moscow, not Beijing or his army, despite a growing trade war between the states United States and China.
"The ultimate target of these sanctions is Russia. CAATSA's sanctions in this context are not intended to compromise the defense capabilities of any particular country, "the official told reporters during a conference call. "They are more aimed at imposing costs on Russia in response to its malicious activities."
In Moscow, Russian MP Franz Klintsevich said the sanctions would not undermine the S-400 and SU-35 contracts.
"I'm sure these contracts will be executed according to schedule," Klintsevich was quoted by the Russian news agency Interfax as saying. "The possession of this military equipment is very important for China."
The measures come as the Trump administration pursues various strategies to crack down on China and is facing increasing pressure to respond firmly to information from US intelligence agencies that Russia continues to meddle in American politics.
Congressmen, including many other Trump Republicans, who unanimously passed the sanctions bill, have repeatedly called on the administration to take a tougher line against Moscow.
The administration officials said they hoped the action against EDD would send a message to other people considering buying the S-400.
US officials have discussed the issue, particularly with Turkey's NATO ally, which wants to buy Russian-made S-400 ground-to-air missile batteries.
Washington is concerned that Turkey's planned deployment of the S-400 could jeopardize the safety of some US-made weapons and other technologies used by Turkey, including the F-35 fighter. US officials have warned that the purchase of this system by Turkey may be contrary to CAATSA.
"We hope that at least this step will send a signal of our seriousness and perhaps encourage others to think twice about their own involvement in the Russian defense and intelligence sectors," said another official. American.
Report by Lesley Wroughton and Patricia Zengerle, additional report by Polina Devitt in Moscow; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Lisa Shumaker
