The U.S. Treasury Secretary, Gina Raimondo, recently highlighted the significant impact of American sanctions on Russia during her testimony in Congress, as reported by Voice of America. The sanctions have notably slowed down Russian progress by limiting its access to essential microchips, forcing the country to repurpose those found in everyday household appliances.

According to Raimondo, the U.S. has imposed export restrictions on nearly 700 types of dual-use goods to Russia and added almost 100 Chinese companies to the sanctions list for helping Russia circumvent these export restrictions. This strategy underscores the U.S. commitment to leveraging every available tool to address the challenge posed by Russia's defiance of international norms.

Senators noted that despite the stringent sanctions, Russians could still utilize commercial microchips from common household items. This, Raimondo asserts, is a testament to the effectiveness of the initial sanctions. "Russia is compelled to use chips from breast pumps, refrigerators, and similar items—precisely what they are doing—because our original restrictions are working," Raimondo stated.

She remains confident that the U.S. export restrictions have "significantly slowed Russia down." The U.S. continues to ramp up sanctions, using all tools at its disposal to ensure the effectiveness of these measures. This approach is part of a broader strategy to hinder Russia's access to advanced technologies and maintain pressure on its economy, reflecting the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two countries.