WP: Russians may be left without some models of smartphones and game consoles “because of Ukraine”

The United States may tighten export controls on supplies to Russia of goods that use microelectronics created or developed using components or software related to the United States, in the event of its “invasion” of Ukraine. It is reported by RBC with reference to The Washington Post.

The publication, citing representatives of the presidential administration, notes that Washington may try to force foreign companies to stop exporting such goods to Russia. This could harm strategic industries – from artificial intelligence to civil aviation – and ordinary Russians, who could be deprived of certain models of smartphones, tablets and game consoles.

At the same time, The Hill’s source stressed that a final decision has not yet been made and the possibility of such actions is being discussed with US allies.

Earlier, a senior State Department official said that the US administration proceeds from the fact that Russia can start “military actions” against Ukraine at any moment. U.S. authorities do not consider the escalation around Ukraine “inevitable,” she said, but noted that Russia allegedly deployed 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border. The Russian authorities rejected the possibility of an “invasion”. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is now observing a “gradual NATO invasion” of Ukrainian territory: infrastructure is being built there, military instructors are working, stockpiles of weapons are being created. All this Russia will no longer tolerate, therefore, Peskov added, Russia will keep the army near the border with Ukraine: this is a precautionary measure and a reaction to tension in the region.