WASHINGTON—Close American ties with Russia's largest arms-exporting firm are complicating efforts to punish President Vladimir Putin and his generals for the annexation of Crimea, current and former U.S. officials said.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
Wall Street Journal: Ties to Russia arms supplier snarl US sanctions efforts
The Russian company, JSC Rosoboronexport, has become central to American efforts to build up Afghanistan's military as U.S. forces prepare to depart that country. Since 2011, the Pentagon has contracted with Rosoboronexport to purchase 63 attack helicopters\u2014with a value of more than $1 billion\u2014for use by Afghanistan's air force.
