Two Montreal companies targeted by US sanctions against Russia | War in Ukraine
Under the sanctions, Canada prohibits the export to Russia of any goods that can be used for the manufacture of weapons, as well as the export of certain technologies, such as electronics, computers, telecommunications systems, sensors and lasers.
Two Montreal companies have been affected by the latest salvo of American sanctions targeting Russia and more specifically “activities in support of the Russian military-industrial sector and the war effort”, confirmed the Canadian and American authorities.< /p>
CPUNTO Inc. and Electronic Network Inc., two electronics distributors, have been sanctioned for acting against the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States, it said the United States Department of Commerce.
Both of these companies are now subject to US export restrictions, which cut off their access to certain products unless the companies obtain a specific permit from US authorities.
The Commerce Department, however, did not specify what these companies exported or attempted to export to Russia.
Distributors of electronics products have come under increasing scrutiny globally, especially since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with some now rare components, such as semiconductors, potentially being used for military purposes.
The latest round of US sanctions against Russia was on February 24, marking the first anniversary of the war. Many of the 86 targeted entities are based in Russia, but there are also five Chinese, three European and two Canadian companies.
According to the Department of Commerce, these new sanctions do not target the countries in which these entities are based or registered.
A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA ) told CBC that officers from the United States Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) are virtually participating in counter-proliferation operations alongside Canadian officers inspecting incoming shipments. and outgoing.
She said Canadian officers are working with other partners on a daily basis to identify efforts to send prohibited goods and technology to Russia via third countries.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, CBSA officers have examined more than 500 shipments whose final declared destination was Russia, agency spokeswoman Maria Ladouceur told CBC. About ten of these shipments had to be referred for further examination, according to her, without specifying whether the two Montreal companies were part of this list.
The Canadian agents contributed to the global effort that led to these two electronics distributors being added to the U.S. sanctions list.
Alexander Yermukov, director of CPUNTO Inc., told CBC that his company took this matter very seriously, as we always acted in good faith without intent to deceive or act maliciously.
We are committed to addressing the concerns, but we cannot comment at this stage, he added.
Also contacted by CBC, a representative of the second company targeted by the sanctions, Electronic Networks Inc., declined to comment publicly.
Under the sanctions, Canada prohibits the export to Russia of any goods that may be used for the manufacture of weapons, as well as the export of certain technologies, such as electronics, computers, telecommunications systems, sensors and lasers. The latest sanctions package also includes a ban on the export of certain chemical elements used in the manufacture of electronics.
A year ago, Ottawa stopped issuing permits for controlled goods destined for Russia and canceled all existing permits.
With information from Janyce McGregor of CBC News
