Raphael Satter

(Reuters). The Ukrainian government lobbying Congress to deny Russia software updates from the United States, to prohibit Russian flight operations, and to stop the import of goods for Russia’s civil aviation sector. It is doing this to garner support for harsh sanctions, while Russia pushes into Ukraine.

In a short 14-point memo sent to American officials by a Ukrainian diplomat, the White House demanded that the demands be made. These are not the export controls measures the White House promised to implement.

American counterparts were requested by the Ukrainians to stop U.S. companies “supplying and upgrading software in Russian consumers’ interests” or from selling U.S. telecommunications products (including microelectronics) to Russia. Additionally, they asked for an end to U.S. supply of technology and goods, which includes software that can be used in Russian aviation, civil, and military aviation.

Reuters reports that on Tuesday, the Biden administration worked on a plan for cutting Russia out of a wide range of high-tech U.S.- and foreign-made products. These include commercial electronics and computers as well as semiconductors and parts for aircraft.

A request for comment was not received by the U.S. Commerce Department immediately. White House and U.S. Treasury Department did not respond immediately to our request.

Some demands of the Ukrainian government were already made public. Dmytro Kuneba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, said that Russia should be subject to “devastating sanctions” immediately. He also suggested that Russia should be disconnected from SWIFT.

The 14-point memo suggested that some actions be taken, like “expelling Russian diplomats from all countries” and “removing Russia from the UN Security Council.” However, these are not likely to happen. Other suggestions, like the prohibition on supply of any goods to Russia’s nuclear, oil, gas and coal mining sectors would be difficult orders.

On Wednesday night, President Joe Biden stated that the United States would place severe sanctions against Russia following an attack by its military forces on Ukraine. The troops engaged in combat around almost all of Ukraine’s perimeter.