Carol Morello, Tom Hamburger and John Hudson, The Washington Post Published 11:27 am PDT, Thursday, July 19, 2018 Almost from the day he arrived in Moscow as the U.S. ambassador in 2012, Michael McFaul and his family were subjected to a campaign of surveillance and harassment. According to McFaul's book, "From Cold War to Hot Peace," Russian authorities followed him to his son's soccer game and outings to McDonald's. They trailed his children's bus to school, and sat behind the family at church. They slashed the tires of an embassy staffer's car, and broke into the homes of other employees. Embassy security officials advised McFaul that there was only one secure room at the embassy that he and his wife should use if they ever quarreled, because everywhere else was monitored by the Russian government. Now, McFaul is one of 11 U.S. citizens a Russian prosecutor wants to question in connection with an investigation that many U.S. officials say is bogus. The list is … [Read more...] about Putin appears to be targeting US officials who worked to sanction Russia
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Russian Billionaires Are Richer Than Ever Despite U.S. Sanctions
World Russia sanctions Russia’s richest citizens have increased their wealth by billions of dollars since the beginning of 2018, despite U.S. sanctions. The 24 richest oligarchs in the nation have managed to expand their wealth by a combined $10 billion, regardless of being included on a list by the U.S. Treasury Department earlier this year that suggested they be directly targeted with sanctions, according to data from the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. However, another 13 Russian billionaires have also seen their wealth crumble by a combined $7 billion since the start of the year, The Moscow Times reported. At the same time, despite some billionaires losing, the richest have remained on top and managed to make significant financial gains. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with journalists shortly after his annual televised phone-in with the nation in Moscow on June 7. The 24 richest oligarchs in Russia have managed to expand their wealth by a combined $10 … [Read more...] about Russian Billionaires Are Richer Than Ever Despite U.S. Sanctions
Despite Sanctions, Russia’s List of Billionaires Is Growing Longer and Richer
World Russia The Forbes Rich List 2018 for Russia shows the number of billionaires in the country is on the rise and their collective wealth growing larger, despite Western sanctions. There are 106 Russian billionaires with a total estimated wealth of $417.77 billion, according to the latest Forbes list. That is the highest figure on both counts since 2014 when Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea, prompting international sanctions against the country and its elite. Russian billionaires hit their nadir in 2016 when the list contained just 77 of them worth a combined $282.6 billion. By 2018, that number had increased by 49 percent. Back in 2014, there were 110 Russian billionaires with an approximate wealth of $422.15 billion, meaning they have now almost recouped what they lost in the intervening years, even as the sanctions bit and the domestic economy went through a sharp downturn. Recommended Slideshows 51 In Pictures: The 50 Most Powerful Military Forces in the World … [Read more...] about Despite Sanctions, Russia’s List of Billionaires Is Growing Longer and Richer
Trump Scraps New Sanctions Against Russia, Overruling Advisers
Supported by Politics By PETER BAKERAPRIL 16, 2018 Continue reading the main story Share This Page Continue reading the main story WASHINGTON — President Trump rejected, for now at least, a fresh round of sanctions set to be imposed against Russia on Monday, a course change that underscored the schism between the president and his national security team.The president’s ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki R. Haley, had announced on Sunday that the administration would place sanctions on Russian companies found to be assisting Syria’s chemical weapons program. The sanctions were listed on a menu of further government options after an American-led airstrike on Syria, retaliating against a suspected gas attack that killed dozens a week earlier.But the White House contradicted her on Monday, saying that Mr. Trump had not approved additional measures.“We are considering additional sanctions on Russia and a decision will be made in the near … [Read more...] about Trump Scraps New Sanctions Against Russia, Overruling Advisers
US sanctions Russian oligarchs, one with ties to former Trump official Paul Manafort
Published April 06, 2018 Politics Reuters Facebook Twitter Comments Print video Trump tougher on Russia than Obama? Former State Department senior advisor Christian Whiton, Washington Examiner White House correspondent Sarah Westwood and The Daily Caller News Foundation’s Christopher Bedford on President Trump expelling 60 Russian diplomats from the U.S. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States imposed major sanctions on Friday against 24 Russians, striking at allies of President Vladimir Putin in one of Washington’s most aggressive moves to punish Moscow for what it called a range of “malign activity,” including alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. Continue Reading Below The action, taken under pressure from the U.S. Congress, freezes the U.S. assets of “oligarchs” such as aluminum tycoon Oleg Deripaska, a close associate of Putin, and lawmaker Suleiman Kerimov, whose family controls Russia’s … [Read more...] about US sanctions Russian oligarchs, one with ties to former Trump official Paul Manafort