In early June, the United States sanctioned three entities -- one Kazakh and two Kyrgyz -- for procuring industrial goods and equipment for Russia’s ultimate benefit, violating US export control regulations. Later that month, the EU imposed sanctions on a company from Kazakhstan and two companies from Kyrgyzstan, citing their involvement in illegal schemes to evade sanctions targeting Russia.
Central Asian authorities will struggle to clamp down on most categories of sanctioned goods transiting their countries to Russia.
Western governments will intensify pressure on third countries to help stop or dismantle Russia’s evasion schemes.
If measures are taken to stem the flow of goods via Central Asia, local firms will still be used in financing arrangements.
