Did Trump lift sanctions against Russia – explanation of the Ukrainian authorities
3 July 10:22
U.S. President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions against Syria and exempted some Russian companies, banks, and individuals from restrictions. However, he only removed them from the so-called “Syrian” sanctions regime. This is reported by [ komersant ], citing a post by Vladyslav Vlasiuk, a representative of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Center for Countering Disinformation, and a message from MP Oleksiy Honcharenko.
The Moscow Times reported that on July 1, US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions against Syria and at the same time lifted restrictive measures against a number of Russian banks, institutions and individuals.
Thus, the sanctions were lifted against the former president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), former head of Kalmykia Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, as well as the Russian Financial Alliance bank (owned by Ilyumzhinov, the financial institution was deprived of its license in 2016), Tempbank (lost its license in 2017), Iranian World Business Bank, RFK-Bank, Promsyrovina, Rosoboronexport, Global Vision Group, STG Logistics, Maritime Assistance, and others.
By the way, Rosoboronexport is Russia’s only state intermediary for arms exports and imports.
As for Ilyumzhinov, in 2015 he was accused of supporting the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Vlasyuk recalled that the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), pursuant to Trump’s executive order of June 30, 2025, removed a number of Russian entities from the sanctions lists. All of them were sanctioned for helping the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
According to Vlasyuk, they were removed from the sanctions:
- “Open Joint Stock Company Moscow Commercial Bank Tempbank”;
- “Russian Financial Alliance Bank
- hudsotrade Limited;
- individual – Mikhail Gagloyev;
- issa Al-Zeidi, an individual;
- kirsan Mykolayovych Ilyumzhinov, an individual;
- individual – Oleksiy Makarov.
“As for other Russian companies (Global Vision Group, STG Logistic, Maritime Assistance Llc, MB Bank, Promsyrioimport, Rosoboroneksport OAO, Russian Financial Corporation, etc.), the designations in the SDN List have been adjusted, but the blocking US sanctions against them remain in force. US sanctions against Russia have not been lifted because of the war in Ukraine,” Vlasiuk explained.
MP Oleksiy Honcharenko reminded that Rosoboronexport actually had three sanctions regimes – Syrian, Iranian and Russian, the latter for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump’s decree removed only the ‘Syrian regime’, while the others remained in effect.
“It’s the same with other companies. Russian banks also remain under the blockade. The SDN (Specially Designated Nationals & Blocked Persons List) and SSI (Sectoral Sanctions Identifications List) lists have removed the [SYRIA] designation, but the [RUSSIA] and [IRAN] labels have not been canceled,” the MP added.
The Center for Countering Disinformation clarified that the restrictions imposed by the United States for participation in the war against Ukraine and cooperation with Iran remain unchanged.
“Some Russian companies have indeed been removed from the Syrian sanctions list, but the vast majority of them remain on the Ukrainian and Iranian lists. Rosoboronexport and all other Russian legal entities and individuals who support the war against Ukraine remain under US sanctions,” the Center for International Development assured.
It is worth noting that US lawmakers are preparing a large-scale package of sanctions for a vote, which could significantly affect not only Russia but also its key economic partners, primarily China and India. The initiative envisages imposing 500% duties on countries that buy Russian energy resources. The Congress is expected to consider the document after its recess in July.
