The US is now sending a stern warning to countries that let Russian banks set up shop in their territories. The US Treasury Department says that Russia is getting around existing sanctions by opening branches of its banks in other countries. This clever move is helping them dodge the financial restrictions the US has put in place.

Here’s what’s happening: Russia has been setting up new bank branches and subsidiaries in different countries to make trade easier and to buy items that might be used for military purposes. The US Treasury Department wants these foreign regulators and banks to be extra careful. If they do business with these Russian bank branches, they might face new sanctions from the US.

The US has already imposed many rounds of sanctions against Russia since the Ukraine conflict started in February 2022. They’ve blacklisted thousands of Russian companies and individuals to cut off their access to global finances. In December, President Joe Biden even ordered sec...