Washington, 15 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The outgoing US government has announced additional sanctions on Russia shortly before the end of President Joe Biden's term.

The measures are directed against around 250 individuals and entities associated with the Russian defence industry, the US State Department said on Wednesday.

"The US is imposing sanctions on more than 250 individuals and entities involved in Russia’s defense industry and supporting its military industrial base. We will continue to use all available tools to constrain Russia's war effort and disrupt attempts to circumvent sanctions," State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller posted on X.

The sanctions are also intended to prevent Russia from circumventing existing measures, particularly through actors in the People's Republic of China.

As a result of the sanctions, US citizens and people in the United States are prohibited from doing business with the sanctioned companies and people. The sanctions also make international business much more difficult for those affected.

At the end of last week, the US already imposed extensive new sanctions on the Russian energy sector. They add to a long series of measures that the US and its allies have taken since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine to weaken Russia's income and military capabilities.

At the same time, the Biden administration is working to send substantial military aid to Kiev in the final days of his term in order to use up funds already authorized by the US Congress.

Biden is due to hand over to Donald Trump on January 20.

In Kiev and other European capitals, there is concern that Trump could cut support for Ukraine in order to pressure the government there to negotiate with Moscow.

MIA file photo