An Israeli-Canadian lobbyist hired by Myanmar’s ruling military leaders to represent them in Washington and other capitals said on Wednesday he has stopped his work with the generals because sanctions prevented him from being paid, Reuters reported.

Ari Ben-Menashe and his Montreal-based firm Dickens & Madson Canada in March signed a $2 million agreement with a top general and filed foreign lobbying documents with the U.S. Department of Justice, pledging to help the West understand the generals who seized power.

Ben-Menashe said at the time that he would receive payment once sanctions were lifted. By working with Myanmar’s military, he risked violating U.S. sanctions imposed on top generals, legal experts said.

On Wednesday, Ben-Menashe said by phone he remained on good terms with Myanmar’s generals but his work was “on a break” because he was unable to receive payment due to the sanctions.