In an interview with Tazabek, US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Leslie Vigery explained why Kyrgyz companies are falling under sanctions. Vigery emphasized that the sanctions target a narrow category of goods, approximately 45 agreed upon HS codes, such as aviation parts, printed circuit boards, and other items believed to be used for armament by Russia.
These dual-use components have been found in Russian weaponry discovered on the battlefield. The sanctions are not meant to hinder Kyrgyzstan from maintaining economic relations with Russia, but rather to prevent potential parallel exports to Russia that support the Russian army.
The US closely monitors whether countries engage in parallel exports. Vigery stressed that it is only about 45 items, not the volume of trade, which may have increased due to sanctions in Europe. What truly matters is preventing potential parallel exports to Russia, which bolster the Russian military.
On February 23, 2024, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Kyrgyz company Ucon LLC for exporting aircraft components to Russia in violation of US export control laws. This led to the company's inclusion on the sanctions list.
The US Department of the Treasury also sanctioned the Russian company National Payment Card System, which operates the MIR payment system, to establish its financial infrastructure and evade other sanctions.
Vigery mentioned two other Kyrgyz companies, Muller markt LLC and Profflab LLC, added to the sanctions list for shipping goods to Russia. These companies often order goods from suppliers in the US, Europe, South Korea, or Japan, providing false information about the end-user. US law enforcement agencies are pursuing companies that overlook the destination of their orders if they are directed to Kyrgyzstan and then rerouted to Russia.
Vigery explained how this scheme works, where companies order a part, receive it in Kyrgyzstan, and promptly forward it to Russia. The aviation parts are not used for any aircraft in Kyrgyzstan but are sent for Russian planes, as Russians are willing to pay more to obtain these items.
In conclusion, Vigery highlighted the importance of addressing the issue to prevent Kyrgyz companies from facilitating the transfer of goods to Russia, ultimately supporting the Russian military.
