James O’Brien, the United States State Department sanctions coordinator, said that Russia is attempting to slip by the sanctions imposed on high-tech goods for military purposes and its energy sector. O’Brien also mentioned that Russia is struggling to obtain any form of international funding.

Sanctions have now been imposed by Europe, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions have blocked access to foreign exchange reserves, financial markets, and even western technologies.

"We see sanctions as working. We know Russia is trying to obtain equipment and finance. We don't think it's doing well. We see a lot of substitution of lower-quality items: consumer-grade electronics for military-grade targeting and communications equipment. If they want to try to use it for a purpose it's not intended for, that's great do-it-yourself, but not a way to run a modern armed conflict or an economy."

James O’Brien said.

Vladimir Putin claims the western economic sanctions have failed. He has also admitted that the damage intended by the sanctions has been done to the $1.8 Trillion economy. EU officials have voiced concerns that China or India may be aiding in the process to bypass the sanctions by selling dual-use equipment that could be used for military purposes.

"Russia is now in a situation of having to buy from unfamiliar vendors at uncertain prices and to obtain equipment of unknown quality. There is no way to run a modern economy on that basis.”

O’Brien concluded, adding that the United States will apply more pressure.