US imposes more restrictions on Russia and Belarus

The United States has banned more exports from Russia and Belarus, restricting access to imports of items such as fertilizer and pipe valves, ratcheting up Washington’s offensive against Moscow and Minsk over the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.

The administration of US President Joe Biden on Friday restricted flights of American-made aircraft that are owned, controlled or leased by Belarusians from flying into Belarus "as part of the US government's response to Belarus's actions in support of Russia's aggressive conduct in Ukraine," according to Reuters.

The US Commerce Department said it will make it mandatory for Russians and Belarusians to get a special license when seeking to acquire a host of goods from American suppliers and pledged to deny those licenses.

The department said the goods include fertilizer, pipe valves, ball bearings and other parts, materials and chemicals.

The Biden administration also said those items made abroad with American tools would also require a US license, which Washington is planning to disallow.

MG