Cyprus-linked companies named on US sanctions list

A number of companies with ties to Cyprus have been identified on the new list of US sanctions.

The companies were named by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on the afternoon of 19 May and are either registered in Cyprus and have offices here or have other connections to the island.

The companies are:

• AQUILA CAPITAL GROUP: Also known as ACG FINANCE LIMITED/ EI SI DZHI FAINENS LIMITED PREDSTAVITELSTVO, an investment management group with headquarters in Hamburg
• HURIYA PRIVATE CYPRUS and the related
• HURIYA PRIVATE FZE LLE: A company that provides private advisory services on matters of immigration.
• ROBARIN LTD: A company mainly active in the sector of providing fuel ships to the Russian harbours of the Black Sea.

The full list can be seen here: https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20230519

A press release by the US Department of the Treasury says that with over 300 sanctions, US targets Russia’s circumvention and evasion, military-industrial supply chains, and future energy revenues.

"Today, the United States, in coordination with the G7 and other international partners, is strengthening the unprecedented global sanctions and other restrictive economic measures to further degrade the Russian Federation’s capacity to wage war against Ukraine. The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is implementing new commitments made at the G7 Leaders’ Summit to hold Russia accountable for its war," the press release says. 

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said that “from the beginning of President Putin’s illegal and unprovoked war, our global coalition has focused on supporting Ukraine while degrading Russia’s ability to conduct its invasion.” 

She added that “our collective efforts have cut Russia off from key inputs it needs to equip its military and is drastically limiting the revenue the Kremlin receives to fund its war machine. Today’s actions will further tighten the vise on Putin’s ability to wage his barbaric invasion and will advance our global efforts to cut off Russian attempts to evade sanctions.”

The press release notes that OFAC’s sanctions on 22 individuals and 104 entities, with touchpoints in more than 20 countries or jurisdictions, target those attempting to circumvent or evade sanctions and other economic measures against Russia, the channels Russia uses to acquire critical technology, its future energy extraction capabilities, and Russia’s financial services sector.

Additionally, OFAC is expanding sanctions authorities to target new sectors of Russia’s economy and sever Russia’s access to new categories of services, the press release says.

US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie, Fisher, meanwhile, Tweeted: " New US sanctions target enablers of Russia's war in Ukraine - 237 individuals & entities in 17 countries including 3 based in Cyprus. The US greatly appreciates Cyprus' partnership in holding those fueling the war to account along with G7 & other partners."