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Published: June 2, 2022
Washington (AFP) - The United States announced on Thursday new sanctions on the Russian oligarchy and elites, including some of the richest men in Europe and their families, in addition to sanctions targeting more Kremlin officials, businessmen connected to President Vladimir Putin, their yachts, planes, and companies they manage.
The latest US sanctions imposed due to the Russian invasion include Sergey Roldugin, who is considered the custodian of Putin's offshore wealth.
The announcement issued by the Treasury, State, and Commerce Departments also included sanctions on God Nisanov, one of the richest men in Europe, and Alexey Mordashov, one of the richest billionaires in Russia, along with his wife and two adult sons.
These measures are part of President Joe Biden's pledge, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, to pursue the "ill-gotten gains" of the Russian elites.
Brian Nelson, Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in a statement: "The Russian elites, even President Putin, rely on complex support networks to hide, move, and maintain their wealth and luxury assets."
He added, "We will continue to impose our sanctions and expose the corrupt systems through which President Putin and his elites enrich themselves."
Imperial Yachts SARL, a yacht brokerage company based in Monaco, including the Graceful company flying the Russian flag and Cayman Islands flag, has been identified as prohibited assets linked to Putin.
The United States has worked closely with allied governments in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere to impose thousands of sanctions on Russian elites, oligarchs, and banks. Allied governments have played an active role, from preventing individuals from trading Russian gold in the US to preventing companies from providing accounting, legal, and consulting services to anyone located in Russia.
Until recently, the United States and the European Union largely allowed Russian oil and natural gas to continue flowing freely to the rest of the world. However, EU leaders agreed late Monday to cut Russian oil imports by about 90% over the next six months, a step that was considered unlikely just months ago.
For his part, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement: "Ukraine is bravely fighting to defend its people and independence with unprecedented help from the United States and countries around the world. The United States will continue to support the people of Ukraine while increasing accountability for President Putin and those who support Russian aggression."
Others listed in the latest round of sanctions include Yuri Slyusar, CEO of United Aircraft Corporation; Vitaly Savelyev, Russian Minister of Transport; Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the country; Eric Invarovich Vezulin, Minister of Construction, Housing, and Utilities; and Dmitry Yurievich Grigorenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff of the Government.
Earlier this year, the Treasury, Justice Department, and other agencies formed a task force known as REPO - an acronym for Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs - to work with other countries to investigate oligarchs and individuals allied with Putin and prosecute them.
Editing: Dima Abu Khair
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