Pure Kabuki; Putin probably wants them out of the way for one reason or another, so he's having his American errand boy do his dirty work for him; also provides a nice distraction from Trump's corruption, incompetence, and treason. Republicans love it for exactly the same reason, especially as more and more Americams wise up to who really owns the Republican Party and what it really is: just a bunch of totally corrupt high end political prostitutes dedicated to reducing Americans to serfs on behalf of their owners, the Koch Brothers and their plutocratic pals. The jig is almost up and the Reckoning is coming, so Republicans and their cronies are doing what they have always done best: steal everything that isn't nailed down, as quickly and brazenly as possible.
2
Donnie has already sent out his own personal apologizies to all those affected and insulted by these ”foto-op” sanctions.
He will call them next week and invite them over for dinner, a sleep over and to learn some new trade secrets.
1
This is welcome news and the oligarchs are behind the russian attack on our election system, and most likely involved in funding of trumps election though fake contributon to NRA .
1
The article is misleading! Trump's administration taks action aginst Russians? ??? It is U.S. Congress, man. Trump is a Russian mule, he'll never do anything to hurt his Russian boss!
1
So the new National Security Advisor, Bolton, was recently the spokesperson of the NRA “international committee” to promote arms in Russia for.....GUESS WHO???? Torshin. AND
Torshin is NOW on the list of individual sanctions of Russian oligarchs that McMaster pushed out right before he was “fired” to be replaced by Bolton. And notice there’s no “word” from the POTUS about the sanctions. AT ALL.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/john-bolton-russian-gun-rights-vide...
1
In a crime family, once the people who support you lose their money, it's time to worry. Putin should worry. A lot.
Question:
How many Russian oligarchs etc have lived at Trump Tower over the years?
Who were/are they?
Given his personality and sales "skills" there is no way that Trump sold apartments to and was a neighbor to such people and did not know them personally.
1
Congress passed veto proof legislation detailing sanctions to be taken against Russia last June. Part of that legislation required the Whitehouse to come up with a list of oligarchs to be sanctioned. The first list appeared in October and was a joke. This revised list finally appears nearly a year after the legislation and after Mueller outs some corrupt oligarchs and It becomes clear Putin has used chemical weapons on British soil. Trump is allowed to save face and say HE is tough on Russia. I’m fine with it. The end justifies the means. Except the last part. Trump has not led on this from his position as president.
3
His closest cronies? Does that include Trump?
2
Thank God we don’t have oligarchs here!
They’d probably price gouge us for health care....
3
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.
Oligarchs = Billionaires and the American government operates for the disproportionate benefit of billionaires and government elites,
2
Just because you impose sanctions on the number of people that would fill an Uber ride doesn't mean that you are using the best possible US resources to deal with Russia's (Putin's) cyber warfare and it IS warfare.
1
I am very skeptical of these new sanctions imposed on Russian oligarchs, especially the timing. It comes soon after the sham Russian election who Putin ordained his win, a landslide 99% (or is it 100?). Maybe, Putin himself demanded these sanctions so that oligarch billionaires were left bereft of their billions straight into Putin's coffers. Ironically, we are doing exactly what Putin wants.......sanctions on these billionaires gone wild. Raison-de-être to keep the President of the US, shackled to ransom. Would be ironic if these orders came from Moscow. Or maybe, Putin would do Americans and Muellar a gigantic favor - reveal Trump in his element and therefore lead to impeachment and indictment. But, Putin is wily and not his style. He will hold on to his trump card until he gets what he wants - destroy America! We are a great democracy controlled by two powerful, ruthless dictators - Putin and China's Xi. Perhaps one man's libido has brought us to this brink.
PS: I hope for our own sake, this is just conspiracy fiction!
2
Putin and his fellow criminals only understand raw power; it is their stock and trade. Cutting off the cash flow from their US investments is a help, but this crew operates like a supercharged Mafia. In a sense, both here and in Russia, the people have the worst leadership in years. This year Americans can do something about it. For Russians the choice is simply not there.
What a brilliant way to disqualify any senior Russians who might have dirt on the POTUS! If any of them report funny business to Muller the legal team can call it retribution. It also explains the hot and cold behaviour between the WH and Kremlin.
“We cannot allow those seeking to sow confusion, discord and rancor to be successful,” Mr. Trump said.
Except in our own White House, apparently.
2
Trump should be on the top of the list!
1
It only took Trump 266 days to enact the sanctions the US Senate passed almost unanimously! Boy, did that give these oligarchs a chance to move their money and assets elsewhere! And then we praise him for it? Give me a break. He's in cahoots.
2
Meanwhile, Russian businessmen still have the right to invest in any company, in any country they want. Business has more freedom In Russia than in USA.
1
I’m suspicious of this sudden move by Trump. If he were truly serious he would have been enacted these sanctions when he signed off on them six months ago. Maybe Putin was given a heads up a while ago giving the oligarchs time to shuffle their money around.
Sadly, I feel that Trump is on Putin’s team not ours. Who could ever have imagined any of this before the election? Scary scary stuff
4
So the hate-Russia lobby was getting hungry and the monster needed to be fed once again.
Every Russian knows by now that once or twice a year the US will announce new sanctions. The excuses (pardon: reasons) will vary but they are irrelevant: the sanctions will come anyway. If needed some old issue will be recycled.
Russia will not change its actions because of the sanctions. It knows that that won't make sense: whatever they do the sanctions will keep coming.
So why does the US keep sanctioning? It is classical bully psychology. Bullies are insecure people who want to convince themselves and the world that they matter. And that is exactly how the neocons have got their grip on the American psyche.
As Russia keeps asking, where is the hard evidence of any of these accusations? The UK has not released any hard evidence in the Skripal case. “Highly likely” is not evidence.
The US has no hard evidence of election influencing.
Where is your cherished presumption of innocence?
Why is Russia-Iran-Turkey (a NATO country) more effective in Syria than the US? Why is the US staying in Syria and controlling an area in a foreign country where it is not wanted?
Why is the US staying in Afghanistan while accomplishing nothing?
What was the US's part in Chechnya, Georgia and Ukraine?
Why are old US politicians so intent on demonizing and containing Russia? What is this policy based on?
Why is it Russia and China suggesting talks with N Korea, while the US suggests bombs?
This is such unbalanced reporting. Arms buildups, key State Dept. officials dismissed, pulling out of trade agreements, the Paris accord, border walls, offending Japan. The goal may be to isolate Russia, but the opposite is happening as even US allies are left shaking their heads.
The US policy to contain Russia is costing hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of ruined lives in Chechnya, Georgia, Ukraine and now Syria.
US behavior is barbaric.
And btw, the people of Russia are not “suffering under Putin” as this lopsided report says.
1
Ah, my dear Nikita-vich. Yes, the west is so barbaric and Mr. Putin is such a humanitarian. And such a brilliant businessman. A Genius no! How else could a low level KGB bureaucrat amass billions?
But it's not surprising you think he is a superhero and the West are villains since he controls what you read, see and think. The fact that you were able to penetrate state control on the internet most likely means you are a state sponsored troll or working for the FSB to sow doubt and disinformation. Only it is too apparent and obvious now that Putins methods have been exposed.
I am very sad for Russia,whose people are being abused so that Putin and his kleptocrat partners can plunder amass billions on top of billions while the average Russian has so little. He is truly evil personified. The true superhero is Navalny and people like him who have the courage to highlight Putin,s crimes and work toward change .
Let Putin's oligarchs stay out of the US, and launder their money at their own money laundering banks.
After all, they became rich in Russia through Putin, and don't need to visit the US and "invest" in our facilities, here and abroad.
3
By now, the Putin cronies and oligarchs should have hedged or hidden the offshore assets and loots.
One good bet is cryptocurrencies and they have people like the Winkloss Twin and Thiel to thank to give them the cover. Hiding and washing asset using cryptocurrency is nothing new. The Chinese did that to get their money out of the Mainland. However, they were desperate when cryptos still lacked the legitimate. Not anymore.
Still, why now? To be clear, Trump himself has not said anything bad to Putin yet. And he hasn't tweeted about the sanctions. Instead, he is hammering China and Amazon. Look, in spite of Pruitt's blatant lies and thieving behavior, he stays on as the EPA Admin simply because he is on Trump's good side. So, these sanctions, too little and too late they may be, don't happen for no reason. One good bet is that this is yet another sleight of hands to divert people's attention
2
Bob Mueller started stopping and searching Russian oligarchs last week and now the Trump White House suddenly impose sanctions that prevents these same oligarchs from traveling to the United States.Same White House that refused to implement Russia sanctions imposed by Congress.Yeah,there’s a something fishy.
5
That is like total godsent for the Russian oligarchs. US anti-Putin hysteria already gained Putin himself nearly 80% of the vote in the last election. Now the oligarchs, until recently the most hated men in Russia without any hope for redemption or popular sympathy, get this present from US government - and they suddenly do not look that bad, even sympathetic and patriotic, as victims of US hatred and Russophobia. You can't buy this kind of positive PR. If they lose any real assets to freezes or confiscation, they will probably be compensated out of US property seized by Russia in response.
1
The Oligarchs have billions socked away in the US. Are you suggesting there is parity in terms of private US assets in Russia? The Russian assets in question are not corporate or government properties, rather it is the personal wealth of Putin and the oligarchs he currently controls (but also depends on). This is the the material coups are made of. Of course, now that we know that the 60 Russian diplomats (and the intelligence officers among them) that were expelled can be freely replaced by Putin with different diplomats ( and intelligence officers) with the blessing of Trumpkin’s State dept, one wonders if the sanctions are truly being enforced or how long the Maginsky ( sic) Act will continue to exist...
3
If they want to really hit the oligarchs where it hurts the US has to change the laws on real estate. These extremely wealthy folks are spending tens of millions of dollars anonymously on real estate and this country needs to change the law so that the rightful owner is listed for a property. Supposedly it is through real estate that money is being laundered.
6
Real estate purchased for dollars on the penny, which as any investigator of corruption can tell you, is a sign of money laundering. It’s amazing how much some private Russian citizens have overpayed Trump Inc. for all those condos in manhattan, Panama and elsewhere.
2
Putin got a message to Trump that all his buddies had sufficiently hidden their assets so it was now OK for him to implement the actions Congress passed long ago but Trump until now had done nothing.
2
Good news but why isn’t the president delighted? Looks like his deal to help Putin ruin American government went a bit sour and now Trump has betrayed his dear Putin friend, albeit it against his wishes.
1
What stands out in all of this is the thinness of the Russian state, the lack of a supporting apparatus for its government in all of the institutions of civil society that we take for granted, even as they are saving our country from its own authoritarian ruler.
Ironic thing is, until about five years ago a number of US-related and other global NGOs were still in Russia, trying to help this traumatized society build entities such as scientific groups, academic journals, high-level management schools, research oversight bodies, governance standards, etc. But they have by now almost all been forced out by a rightly-paranoid regime.
Now when he needs such help, who does Putin have left? Flacks and assassins.
1
With the SCL/Cambridge Analytica revelations, we now have proof positive that a foreign power did indeed meddle in the US 2016 presidential race on Trump's behalf. Funny thing is, that foreign power turns out to be...Britain! So where's the outrage from the Russiagate purveyors? They claim to be opposed to foreign intervention in our electoral process, so why aren't they clamoring for kicking out British diplomats or slapping sanctions on British oligarchs? SCL is multiply connected to the British and US elites, and its board included at least one relative of the Queen, so it's far more influential and well connected than the infamous Russian troll farm. (In fact, one must wonder if it was SCL/CA that hired the troll farm in the first place.) I would like to see much more effort being put into constraining our own oligarchs--and not just the right-wing ones like the Kochs and Mercers but those on the liberal side as well (I'm looking at you, Bill Gates). After all, with their massive amounts of money and political influence, these are the people who are the real and immediate dangers to our economy and our republic.
1
The guy who “ duped” FB out of the 87 million people’s user data is a Russian academic at Cambridge University. Cambridge Analytica hired themselves out to Bannon and the Mercers but those pesky former employees of CA report a lot of Russian clients at CA meetings displayed an unusual interest in American politics...
Finally. When it comes to Russia, Trump has reacted with the speed of a three-toed sloth.
2
Vlad will not be too happy with this.
An accidental Golden Shower, for all us to see, is quite possible, just to re-draw/re-iterate the trip wires.
And this shower will be a lot more stormy than Stormy.
Only Mr. Mueller can see the insidious truth behind these sanctions. Go ahead, Mr. Mueller, double your budget.
Let Hungary and Poland isolate themselves and stew in their nationalism. Stop the EU handouts , let their goverments return to authorianism, and let the world pass them by while they revert to their former pathetic social
and economic twentieth century forms. Only then will their youth plead for true reform.
It is hard to attach much significance to this action.
1. Sanctions were placed on only a fraction of the number of Russians that Congress had said should be sanctioned.
2. Trump himself has not said one word about these sanctions being introduced. He left it others to make the announcement.
3. They were announced today, long after the actions Putin took that they are supposedly responding to. For all we know, Trump and Putin jointly agreed to these sanctions to try to appear that they are not in bed together. The long delay before implementing sanctions has given those involved plenty of time to shelter their assets before the sanctions start.
4. Just as with the expulsion of diplomats, the measure is more window dressing than a substantive anti-Putin action. It is being used as a fig leaf to create an illusion that Trump is "tough" on Putin.
5. In policy after policy, Trump continues to act in ways that Putin clearly loves: weakening US democracy, savaging alliances with long-standing former allies, weakening the US's standing around the world, promoting authoritarian regimes across the globe, encouraging white supremacy, building a strong pro-Putin element in the Republican Party.
Expelling a few diplomats and imposing a few ineffectual sanctions on a small number of Russians in no way reflects an anti-Putin turn by Trump. Especially since both actions were likely jointly orchestrated through the back-channel Trump and Putin were so anxious to set up.
5
I never understood the theory behind freezing the assets of the oligarchs. How will this hurt Russia or Putin? The fact that the wealthy moved their money to the West hurt Russia. Russia will benefit if the Russian wealthy are afraid to keep their money in the West and move the money back to Russia.
I've been looking for a cogent theory that describes how these sanctions will produce results favorable to the West. I haven't seen any yet.
4
People don't like being told they can't do something. I guess.
Putin gets his support from the oligarchs. Anything that hurts them financially will hurt his power base. The goal isnt to hurt the average Russian, who has no control or real say in their leaders. The goal is to hurt the power behind the throne, the oligarchs. The oligarchs dont care that moving money out of Russia harms the country, they arent in it for the country, only their own power and wealth. So freezing their Western funds weakens them, which in turn weakens Putin.
3
Because these oligarchs want to move their money to the West to protect themselves for when Putin is either overthrown or dies. Their interests do not align with Putin’s if their money is stuck in Russia. The oligarchs need their money out of Russia. Hence the sanctions. The idea is that the oligarchs and Putin have opposing interests, meaning that there is conflict among the few men who run Russia
1
More sanctions against Russia. Do they convince the detractors? Not a chance! Nothing will convince them. These vigilant guards of American interests will see the insidious "truth" behind Mr. Trump's actions. They live in their own convoluted world.
4
And in my "convoluted" world, Trumpkin apologists like you are the ones who live in a convoluted world. So, which one of us is right?
Let's see Trump's tax returns, then we'll decide.
Let's see what Mueller comes up with, then we'll decide.
Let's find out who actually approved and paid for the settlement with Stormy Daniels, then we'll decide.
Let's see if Mexico will ever pay for The Wall, then we'll decide.
Let's see if Trump takes credit for the sudden plunges in the stock market, then we'll decide.
Let's hear what the sex coach in Thailand has to say, then we'll decide.
Let's see if Trump ever admits that there were many months in which attempted border crossings were lower under Pres Obama than under Trump, then we'll decide.
Let's see the great healthcare plan that Trump promised, then we'll decide.
Let's see evidence of Trump's claims of millions of illegal voters in 2016, then we'll decide.
Let's see Trump apologize for the disgusting things that he's said about Gold Star Families, reporters with disabilities, John McCain, Adam Schiff, and dozens of other upstanding citizens, then we'll decide.
Let's see Trump go an entire 24 hours without telling a lie, then we'll decide.
1
Newsflash: these sanctions are useless and the Trump Administration knows it. Inconveniences for Putin's friends? Big deal. Let's get real.
6
No, Mr. Trump, the majority of Americans won’t be distracted from your on-going legal problems nor by your inability to govern . We can walk and chew gum at the same time, so save yourself the tantrums.
7
"..many stash their families, lovers and much of their wealth in places like London, New York and Miami."
As do the Chinese!
Again- The U.S. is their final destination: Flush toilets, potable water, department stores, safe food, land, cars and open space...
Start deporting and penalizing the rich Oligarchs and you'll see how fast policy changes in Moscow and Beijing!
9
Has Downing St followed? If not, why not?
2
Ok, it's good to clamp down the Russian oligarchs & Putin's authoritarianism.
However, the hypocrisy/apparent intellectual dishonesty is that at the same time, oligarchs and authoritarians from the Gulf States (whom may also have been helping to destabilize the world through their own "fighters") are being feted in London, New York, DC, etc...
The foreign policy pushed by DC and passed through the mainstream media is often some of the worst, blatantly illogical, malign intellectual positions of great consequence disseminated by otherwise intelligent people. (ie: the case for invading Iraq, regime change in many places across the world, etc...)
It seems that many in the halls of power want to repeat of the Iraq war, somewhere else. Since the end of the Cold War, the rationales for military spending at high levels apparently "need" to be continued.
7
Hmm --- I wonder if this was a ploy to "prove" that there is no collusion between the Trump Administration and the Russians.
3
I love conspiracy theories. It’s not just the far right who indulges in them. Perhaps we can conjure one up with these recent sanctions. Trump has a recent chat with Putin, aka, VP. Several weeks later, Trump suddenly declares we’re leaving Syria. Such a move leaves the Russians a strategic platform, in coalition with Iran, to de-stabilize Saudi Arabia, and thereby, gain a dominant position in the global oil market. VP desperately needs more revenue from Russia’s only viable resource, oil. Trump, aka, DD, has to show some spine Russia. Is anyone foolish enough to believe the Russians haven’t already found a work around to the sanctions. (Alas, Manafort is under House arrest). If DD was really serious he’d beef up Ukrainian armor and send a battalion or two to Eastern Europe. On the other hand, he could publically caution the Russians that any further interference in our domestic policy is an act of war. So, DD and VP strike a deal. VP says to DD do the sanctions because we’ll have a work around, which helps DD domestically, but the return is U. S. hands off in Syria. After all, DD doesn’t have any moral calms about the butchering of thousands of Syrians. He’s also a fruit loop when it comes to strategic long term thinking.
There. Now that’s one whopper of a conspiracy theory. Nobody should ever think that DD and VP aren’t capable of just such a devilish plan.
5
Doesn't America love to destabilized undemocratic countries? So, what is so bad to destabilize Saudi? that may produce another Democratic state in the ME
Now we are getting serious. Tough talk does not do anything for Putin but dipping in his circle's multi-billion funds is a whole new ballgame.That is the Muller approach which seems to be "follow the money". These Russian gang may be close to losing its patience with Trump and maybe we will lucky and the gang may leak what they have on Trump. Maybe we will get luckier and see Trump's tax returns.
Nothing has changed since day one it is about Russia and Trump's tax returns.
3
I understand how sanctions against Russian companies hurts their economy and consequently puts pressure on the Government. However, as counter intuitive as it sounds it might strengthen Putin to sanction the oligarchs themselves.
As I understand it Putin wields a lot of power to control this group of very powerful individuals. But his strength is in controlling who gets what and how in Russia so many of those individuals divest to other countries. If their assets get frozen and they can't do business outside of Russia this gives Putin more control over them.
2
All of a sudden we are going after oligarchs. I believe it's because Mueller is closing in on Trump and he wants to appear to be anti Russia.
6
Is there a difference between the Russians oligarchs and our own billionaires.?
All have managed to ally themselves with the ruling power to the detriment of the rest of the population.
The only difference is that notwhistanding the claims of election tampering, Poutine is clearly many times more popular than Trump.
And why would 'nt he be. is doing a very good job for the Russian people, while Trump is destroyng America and putting its people in danger
8
The stopping, questioning, searching and possibly refusing entry to persons seeking entry into a country is not extraordinary. When applied to wealthy Russians however, it confirms that the various forces assembled behind Homeland and National Security are performing their stated functions, namely to deter crime and interdict possible suspects.
The tactics are not new. These are employed regularly at all points of entry into the US. Now I realize how valuable information on a person's cell phone or computer can be.
Until now, the uber rich did not face such indignities, flitting between rarified enclaves of wealth and privilege virtually untouched while us lesser souls complete forms to confirm the value of goods purchased abroad. Chalk one up for law enforcement.
4
Good piece. Honestly, I love and respect the Russian people and its culture. But President Putin and the international outlaws have gone too far. Their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court was regrettable. Worst, they have attempted to destroy our constitutional democracy. Enough is enough. Also, we need to clean up our backyard.
8
They tried to change the American Constitution? Really?
Right. Maybe your "constitutional democracy" could also joint the International Criminal Court one day. After it stops being a mafia state.
I don't get it. Do we have two Trumps in the WH? The first one rushes to call Putin to congratulate him on having been elected the president of Russia, and offers to meet in WH, I guess as a full state visit, and the second one right away after that expels Russian diplomates, closes consulate, imposes tough sanctions on near Putin's circle. Do we have the "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" in the WH? What kind of policy is that? Is it some kind of fine trolling? I really don't understand our foreign policy anymore!
2
I understand it perfectly. It’s a big complicated world, and sometimes our enemies are our friends. Trump wants good relations with Putin because it’s necessary to work with Putin and remain on good terms in order to achieve some of America’s goals. On the other hand, Putin and Russia can’t be allowed to run wild and misbehave too much. So when they cross the line, they must be slapped. Nothing complicated or conflicted about it. Not an unusual approach for any Administration.
Putin Administration foes end up in hospitals, mental institutions, prisons, urns and coffins.
6
Cynical me... Just curious... could paralyzing these oligarchs serve to benefit Putin himself or other oligarchs in some way?
2
Congress passed the law requiring the administration to compile a list of oligarchs to be sanctioned. Assets have probably been transferred or simply withdrawn from the reach of American law in the intervening time.
4
if Trump chose who was on the list he did it with Putin. He should never have been asked to compile that list because his relationship to Russia IS UNDER INVESTAGATION. Just because Trump is nuts, must he be coddled to everyone's detriment? I suspect the usual lickspital Republicans humored him. The list is good, yes. Trump choosing which oligarchs? Why? Is this a game with Trump? The man should be slowly side lined, but he has just put John Bolton in his holster. This misinformation gunslinger needs to roam outside of town, out of office, in a hotel casino. He, Pruit, Bolton, are taking the country apart and want to take it to war. It is Trump or having a civilized country. We cannot have both.
1
I think Trump did this because he wants Mueller (and perhaps others) to really believe there was no collusion with the Russians. But we are all ON to his game -- right? And of course Mueller definitely is.
5
It is Putin's special operation to make Russian capital to move back to Russia... these particular "pocket" oligarchs have been prepared for this "sanctions", most of their assets already have been working for Russia for a long time they left "abroad" only a decorative fraction of their wealth (quite substantial nevertheless ). There are plenty others Russian oligarchs who still keep most of their assets outside Russia and this wealth Putin is up to...
2
SO does this impede the Special Counsel's investigations now that there will be no oligarchs in the US for Muller to "interview"?
1
Someone needs to tell Jared that he's not supposed to do business with anyone or any bank or company on the list. And give him a copy of the list.
7
I hate to tell you, many people are asking if anyone in the Trump administration has told Trump about this. SAD!
7
One might wonder why a view of the world as Hobbesian jungle is required for the likes of Putin or the Chinese Communist Party, because the U.S. and the EU have healthy economic competition without animus. The flourishing of democratic economies works just fine.
Healthy political economics could work for everyone, IF and inasmuch as everyone abides by institutions like the WTO, TPP, and UN. It could all work!
Analogous to an antibiotic spreading a healthy clearing in a vast sphere of infection, virtuous politics eventually faces antibiotic resistance, forcing upon The Good the jungle that then warrants itself in terms of efforts to defend against infection—like Marxist Dialectic—or autocratic entitlement—that creates the opposition that then warrants militancy. That is surely Putin’s necessary rule: bully the other until their proper defense becomes Putin’s reason for autocratic entitlement.
We’re a species still early in our evolution.
I wonder how many of the people mentioned in this article own real estate on 57th Street.
I never understood why state legislatures (or Congress) can not deem it against public policy for real estate, which is subject to property taxes, not to list the real party in interest as a shareholder of an LLC or Inc. If an individual(s) wants to hold a piece of real estate as an artificial entity in order to insulate and limit any liability associated or connected with that piece of real estate, fine, go ahead a do so. But at least require the shareholders of that artificial entity to publicly file and produce a paper trial of who and/or sources of the money investing in that artificial entity. Seems like it would be good public policy to me.
5
The corruption, greed and power seeking on this whole planet is stunning and sickening. I know it's been this way thru out history, but it doesn't make it right. We are ruining our planet in EVERY single way. And now we are shooting for outer space, so we can ruin that too. Because of this lust for power, we will eventually destroy ourselves and the whole planet.
3
90 per cent of the comments here will criticize Trump. Some will impugn some suspicious motive, for instance, that he is only doing it to distract from the Russia probe or Stormy Daniels or whatever ( Oops - I just saw one right below where I am writing this! ) A small percentage will accuse Trump of conspiring with Putin so that this is really part of some sinister plot they cooked up using this as a smoke screen while they plan to manipulate the next election. Wanna bet that at least one person will say this? any takers?
Look, I am as embarrassed at Trump's behavior as anybody, and I did not support him. But I don't hate him so fiercely that I can't even recognize when he does something worthwhile.All of us should encourage that.
Unfortunately, many are so blinded by their hate that they will refuse ever to acknowledge anything positive whatsoever. Most tragically, some even hope he fails even if success is vitally important to US interests.
Some reading this would even want him to fail in talks with North Korea, for no reason other than a successful agreement with North Korea could help him get elected. Hate above all. Country last.
o
o
oop
4
Trump is so profoundly, unyieldingly unfit for office that mere crumbs like this are hardly praise worthy. C’mon.
9
Just as Mueller needs to question Russian oligarchs this slams the door on his access to them, timing is everything. Investigating whether these Russain oligarchs are really on Czar Putin's side or not should give us all an idea whether this is just another ploy to divert the Mueller investigation. Luckily the legislation passed by Congress took it out of the Pretend King Trump's hands since clearly he is in Czar Putin's pocket. There are many Generals in the Pentagon fuming over the response by the WH this is probably what prompted action by Congress. The focus on Russian oligarchs that own real estate is not a slap in the face since Czar Putin also punishes disloyalty and Russians owning American land or companies to him means just that. It can also mean a legal take over of Russian real estate by the Pretend King Trump's cronies since money is at the bottom of all of his actions. When the list comes out it will give us all some indication of why they were picked and who benefits.
Interesting that the sanctions were delayed until after Putin's election.
4
Do you really think
the sanctions mattered in the election? If anything, it would increase his support (if that possible). Russians hate Russian oligarchs, and if Putin's action brought pain to them, judo to him
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
It's a shame we can't do the same for American oligarchs, including Mnuchin and Trump.
11
spectacular hypocrisy as usual.
1
I'd be curious to know if any of these Russian oligarchs own any stake in any of Trump's properties, such as condos used to launder money. My bet is that this administration either steered clear of anyone who had any financial dealings with the Trump Organization or if not, that Trump Jr. will use these sanctions as a "negotiating ploy" by suggesting things they can do to get the sanctions lifted that will coincidentally further the Trump Organization's interests.
2
Neither Trump nor Putin are trustworthy and wouldn't hesitate to throw anyone and everyone under the bus to achieve their desires, however 'close' the anyone and everyone may be. Everything they do has an ulterior motive that serves themselves alone.
One of these oligarchs, Dmitriy Rybolovleva, in addition to buying an $88 million pied at terre for his daughter in Manhattan, also purchased Mr Rybolovlev, 43, bought Donald Trump's 33,000 sq ft Florida estate - Maison L'Amitie - for $95million in cash in 2008 (link below). Is Mr. Trump putting sanctions on Rybolovleva?
4
all us trump haters need to applaud this-long overdue and puts pressure on May to follow suit ...THEN putin will take us seriously. Absent May signing on though, these guys will just buy real estate in London to replace NY condos.
2
When are we going to stop the oligarchs from registering their planes in Utah? I remember reading the article in the NYT this past year.
2
“ 'The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,' said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin." Can one die of irony?
To me, this is just a list of the oligarch who are growing too big and threaten Putin, Trump's puppet-master.
3
I’m just wondering. Are the Russian people being hit by these sanctions, actually people that Putin wants to “hit”. Trump is just doing Putin’s dirty work, while appearing to be a strong pro-US, anti-Russian American patriot?
What does Putin not like about the ones closest to him getting knocked down a peg or two? It makes them weaker and more dependent on his favor...and it makes him STRONGER!
“Keep your friends close, and your enemies CLOSER”...
Who created the list? Was it Putin?
I will read others’ comments, and the full article, but I don’t trust what Trump does.
This is nothing more than instructions from Putin to Trump for short term easing on Trump's obstruction of congress and expecting to dispute Mueller's findings. Also to distract from Trump's ongoing failings. Trump does nothing without instructions from Putin.
2
Most of the progressive intelligencia will not be happy until we are in a shooting war with Russia. Then these same people will be happy when Hillary presents Russia with another "Reset" button. Of course, the progressive intelligencia agreed with Obama when he laughed off the suggestion that Russia was a strategic threat and said the 1980s wanted their cold war back. Any honest person would agree that Trump has been tougher on Russia than Obama and Hillary and her Reset button.
3
Trump actually sanctions Putin in a way that might hurt? How is that possible....?
1
Sanctions on Oligarchs will hinder Mueller ability to question them?
1
Just wondering when will congress have the courage to impose sanctions and rule of law on US politicians who have helped Russia?
I suppose the oligarchs Trump launders money for can't really turn him in for it, or they would look just as bad. Maybe they will turn him in for laundering money for their competitor?
1
As is being widely reported, the yearlong delay in imposing these sanctions provided ample time for the Russians to minimize their impact by moving assets. The only question, rhetorical though it may be, is whether the delay was intentional to allow for that. Given everything known to-date about Trump I know what I think. It's all kabuki all the time.
3
Unless it's coming from assorted bots who are trying to confuse the issue, I don't understand all the complaints that the article didn't explain what the sanctions are, or who they hit.
Having your American assets frozen, and being barred from doing business with American companies, are the sanctions. And please note the follow-up, "Meet the Oligarchs..." piece.
1
I must be falling ill with the conspiracy virus, but I can't help feeling that this move was a tactical stroke by the Trump regime to prevent Mueller's investigators from intervewing the oligarchs, many of whom visit the U.S. on a regular basis.
Investigators have been nabbing smaller fish from Russia as they've arrived, but with these sanctions (whatever they are), it's pretty clear no oligarch with an ounce of common sense will set foot on our shores for the foreseeable future.
To which I make the Hmmmmmmmm sound.
2
This is a totally meaningless gesture designed to provide the illusion of "getting tough." The UK government began targeting Russian elite assets back in mid-March. Yet Trump waits three weeks to follow suit? Just enough time for the Russian oligarchs to safely move most assets that might fall under US jurisdiction to safe havens
Agree. Trump managed to delay action so his buddies could scuttle into the woodwork with the wealth they stole from their countrymen. Unfortunately, the Russians are so brow beaten that most of them will endure theft just to avoid another war or revolution.
Yeah I'm sure these will be strictly enforced ( rolls eyes ).
Despite this administrations countless attempts to pretend they are being tough on their Communist sponsors, Americans have figured out that it's all for show and that the back channels are wide open.
1
Mnuchin’s words are equally applicable to the Trump administration: “The [American] government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” who should “no longer be insulated from
the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
And wouldn’t it also be appropriate to refer to industrialists enriching themselves from “Mr. Trump’s increasingly authoritarian administration”? Many of them have been appointed to his Cabinet.
Trump is doing his best to emulate Putin. American voters need to recognize this before it’s too late.
1
The Trump administration's delay in imposing these sanctions--let alone implementing them--has given the oligarchs plenty of time to do what they can to lessen the damage, and that is no accident.
1
"The Trump administration opposed that legislation but quietly acceded to it after it passed with a veto-proof majority. Within that law was a measure requiring the administration to create a list of Russian oligarchs. Lobbying around the creation of the list became intense as Russia’s wealthiest citizens feared punishing sanctions to come." Robert Mueller should be looking at which Russian oligarchs have provided funding to Trump or bought condos in his properties and whether those individuals were conveniently left off of the list now targeted. Follow the money.
6
Step 1 - Sanction the Russian Oligarchs who have likely supported the subversion of American Politics and Democracy
Step 2 - Sanction the American Oligarchs (Robert and Rebekah Mercer, the Koch Bros., David Smith of Sinclair Broadcasting, Robert Murray of Murray Energy) who have likely supported the subversion of American Politics and Democracy
19
Hello? - is it just a coincidence that the oligarchs are also suddenly under subpoena? talk about leverage...
4
I think this one is great. Russian oligarchs should keep their money in Russia. I really hope that what will happen because of the sanctions. Thank you, Trump
1
Trump fought all sanctions against Russia. You will note his peculiar silence on this if you had ears to listen.
1
Hopefully this will show Putin that the U.S. isn't going to stand by as he assassinates his critics living abroad and interferes in elections to increase political instability in our country. 20 years of human rights abuses will hopefully soon come to an end.
22
It surely will, although it would be much more helpful if American politicians were more connected with their constituency because now it looks like their constituency trust more Russian trolls on-line than their own politicians. Not a very good sign for democracy. How did it happen?
2
I can not believe it. Did Trump Administration impose sanctions against his friend's (PUTIN) friend? Trump treating him Putin like his boss or scared of him and always tries to appease him. It makes us suspicious. Trump congratulated him for winning a fake election and invited him to White House against the advice from all his advisors. Trump's softness and love for this most dangerous man in the world is disturbing.
6
All this means is that super-rich Russians will not be able to directly buy more $40 million Central Park apartments. They will just hide behind many layers iof LLC, just like, coincidentally, our president.
6
Nuclear war? Let there be a nuclear war. We have nothing to lose.
Except of course your life.
2
and yours!
2
One thing you can be sure of is that Putin wants to knock these guys down a few pegs. Otherwise Trump would never had been allowed to do it.
5
More diversions....slap on the wrist....
We should do this to some of dear leader's cronies.
12
You punch a bully in the mouth immediately. Why wait so long?
1
The loss of illusions about normal relations with Russia can be painful, but it is useful. Russia works with the United States when they need it, and strikes when they need it. We will behave the same way.
3
The US did behave in the same way. Russia just learnt the American lesson
1
My possibly daft theory for today: They're all in this together, and by all I mean Trump and Putin. Think like le Carre for a minute and follow me: Trump delays sanctions until some kind of activity can no longer be avoided, imposes sanctions (unspecified....they are likely far less burdensome than they sound) on a few people who were getting too big for their Russian britches, and with Putin's tacit approval "raises the level of animosity between the two nations," which benefits Trump as well as Putin. Trump has shown to this base and the rest of the county that he can be tough, and Putin can use it to be tougher in response, thereby gaining popularity with his base. Putin wanted to deal with these oligarchs anyway because they were beginning be become meddlesome, and having Trump do it is a lot more convenient. Even the oligarchs may benefit in terms of improved public relations, because they are now heroes of the Motherland. Until actual fighting breaks out, which it won't, it's a win-win. This is the lesson of the Cold War. And it's entirely fictional...or is it?
6
In response to Greg Wessel: Don't forget the missile hit Trump ordered in Syria. He gave a heads up to Putin on this too.
What role did the President have in holding up these sanctions in the first place? And were those oligarchs on the hit list made aware ahead of time of their targeting? If so, wouldn’t this have given them a golden opportunity to transfer their monies elsewhere so the sanctions would have less bite?
2
The US moves were telegraphed in BOLD letters. The Oligarchs knew this was coming; do you think they got to the height of their corrupt financial empires by accident? No doubt they moved the bulk of their money and assets and rearranged their business enterprises and guess what? As they bleed the Russian people every day of the week, any "paper" losses can be recovered in no time at all and if they can't travel to NYC for a front row seat at Hamilton, they will find it somewhere else to see it or pay the cast to perform in Moscow.
The key is to make them all pariahs in the entire western democratic world. You will know that's happening when England deals with Roman Abramovich, the owner of the famous Chelsea football in London; a Russian oligarch how has been like a father to Putin. Maybe it's time for dad to have a talk with his misbehaving son (for instance).
The bigger question is with just a little more than 6 months left what is the USA doing to secure our next Federal election? Do you think these same Russian oligarchs will use their billions to finance the next wave of confusion and exact their revenge by meddling and muddling our election under Putin's next directive?
6
The only issue that hits Putin and his enablers is their ability to launder their profits in foreign countries via real estate and art purchases. The IRS needs to crack down on this obvious ploy. Will the UK also crack down? London real estate prices may take a hit if they do so.
44
And so what if they do? I am sure there are many British people would wouldn't mind if at all of London became a more affordable place to live.
1
It would be nice if the NYT would have to say something about the actual details of the sanctions, and the persons involved, instead of using the subject matter for another Trump rant (it gets boring). Secondly, it would not hurt to write something as to why Russian oligarchs congregate in London, and not anywhere else. It’s not because they love to follow Lenin’s footsteps, who spent a considerable time in London in exile. It’s because they are de facto invited by Britain under Britain’s tax laws which allow them to stay in the UK on the so called ”remittance basis”. That is, they are only taxed on the money which they remit to their UK bank accounts to cover their personal expenses. This is a unique benefit which is not conveyed by any other major industrialized nation ( except maybe for Italy, which legislated very recently a similar rule ). This might not be a small sum for the average NYT reader, it’s chump change for an oligarch (major expenses for real estate, aircraft, etc. are handled by separately set up corporations and are not counted in). This makes London an ideal place for anybody with real money to live, and also explains to some extent why it gets more and more impossible for ordinary people to stay there. Political moves to make an end to that paradise were regularly defeated with the argument that the city would need that rule to attract the necessary talent for its financial industry. It’s a house made problem, all the wailing is really for naught.
4
If not after the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats, surely this would be the time that Russia revealed the “dirt” they are supposedly holding over Trump’s head.
That's what all the conspiracy theorists on MSNBC and CNN and even here halve been telling us.
So, Where is it?
3
If Russia has dirt on Trump (and I'm inclined to think they have something), there's no reason to release it. America is tearing itself apart; both sides have near religious faith in their own views of the Trump-Russia collusion. If they were to make it known that the accusations are true, then suddenly it becomes a matter of how to deal with those facts. Trump is too good at destroying America for Putin to want to endanger his position.
Please give Congress the credit for this.
Trump would lift all the sanctions on Russia if he had the power.
Note to Mr. Mueller: Please hurry.
13
I wonder if these sanction are designed to keep these particular Russians out of the USA and away from Mueller. Yeah, I know it is a stretch....but these are strange days.
4
I would venture to say this is nothing more than window dressing, has Putin's 100% approval and will do squat to deter the Russian attack on our Republic.
6
I hope Putin now realizes what damage he himself done by promoting a person like Trump to become American President. Trump is basically hand-tied and doing (and will continue to do so) so far improving American relation with Russia is concerned.
That's why it's said that an honest and intelligent enemy is better than dishonest or stupid friend. I don't know how KGB trained his top officers!
1
Trump is basically hand-tied and doing (and will continue to do so) IMMENSE DAMAGE to America - Russia relationship .
How is this possible, I thought Trump was a Putin Puppet ?
2
He's under pressure. He knows that if he doesn't kick out diplomats and impose sanctions, that more people will be convinced he let and supported Putin and his goal to hurt Hillary's campaign and support Donald.
"The new sanctions grow out of legislation passed by Congress overwhelmingly last year and designed to limit Mr. Trump’s ability to lift sanctions already imposed on Russia. Lawmakers in both parties feared that the president would suspend sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama as he pursued warmer relations with Moscow as promised during his campaign and first year in office.
The Trump administration opposed that legislation but quietly acceded to it after it passed with a veto-proof majority. Within that law was a measure requiring the administration to create a list of Russian oligarchs. Lobbying around the creation of the list became intense as Russia’s wealthiest citizens feared punishing sanctions to come.
That is exactly what happened on Friday."
1
The oligarchs are loyal to Putin, and by imposing sanctions against them, this limits their ability to steal from the economy. It's good that the feds are cutting off Putin's supplies to bring him down lower.
Seems like one more publicity stunt. I am of the opinion that either President trump sought Putin's blessings to go ahead with this move or Mr Putin provided with the list of targets who are not in Putin's friendly circle.
4
There is another name yet to show up on the official list of those being sanctioned - Putin's girlfriend. The State Department has considered this as the ultimate strike against Putin and it is being presented to Trump every time these sanctions are considered. There is no telling how Putin would strike out against the USA and Europe should this happen. What the world needs to understand about Russia, a place I used to live and work for the USA, there is NO legitimate Russian money. Putin's money has been laundered and sits in banks throughout Europe and the USA. His girlfriend lives in France where she ultimately protects a large portion of his illegitimate money.
2
The wealth of these oligarchs is just the tip of the iceberg. Putin’s other cronies are even bigger fish, and they aren’t on the list. Roman Abramovich and his ex-wife, Dasha Zhukova socialise(d) with the Kushners and he has properties in the US. In January he was included on a list of officials and oligarchs close to Putin that could serve as a basis for future US sanctions. But he is not on the list this time.
The sanctions freeze any assets that those targeted have in US jurisdictions and bars Americans from doing business with them. Viktor Vekselberg, chairman of the Renova Group, a Russian investment firm, has majority holdings of several Swiss conglomerates, which may have to approach the administration for guidance about how to do business in the US, without running afoul of sanctions.
61
We don't need COLD WAR II just because Theresa May has problems in the UK. There is no need to another cold war. We should not be sanctioning Russia just because we are afraid of them.
Many of the things we complain about are own fault. It was the US that planned the coup in Ukraine so we could put a puppet on the government. It was the US who drew up the Budapest memorandum with the purpose of steeling Crimea and Odessa from Russia.It was the US who expanded NATO to Russia's borders when we had told Gorbachev we would not do that.
We have no obligation to Syria and Trump needs to tell the Generals that we are not staying. We are not building basis in Syria -it belongs to the Syrian let them have their country back without the US stealing its oil and property. Why must we constantly interfere in other countries. It costs too much money which could be better spent at home than on the Defense Department;s over seas advantages.
We are the cause of the problem with Russia. Maybe things will settle down when we rid the Senate of McCain and Graham.
4
Well, you have a point, but cutting off or limiting Moscow's supply of money will ultimately help to force Putin into reconsidering his stances in Ukraine and Syria. Knowing that his closest allies are just Iran and Syria, and Turkey to some degree, Putin is becoming increasingly desperate to maintain the status quo of human rights violations and war crimes in Syria and Russia. Skripal's poisoning in Moscow is helping the EU, UN and NATO redefine their feelings about Russia and show them that ultimately, they have the moral high ground.
No, we don't need another Cold War, but unfortunately Putin and his cronies are foisting one upon us. Every pro-Russia comment you read, keep in mind the possibility it is coming from the Russian disinformation machine, because, really, we are the cause of the problem with Russia?
1
WHy should we care about Syria. We were not invited there. Yes I know we wanted regime change - but look what regime change did for us in Libya and Iraq. It is none of our business who runs Syria. - we need to say out of involvement in Middle East COuntries. All we get is blowback when we get involved in the Middle East. The Middle East is better WITHOUT US interference.
The Skirpal case is a mess because of Theresa May - so far everything they say has turned out to be a lie. BoJO has already had to withdraw incorrect statements he made to Deutsch Welle. More info will come out - remember this supposedly deadly agent took 7 hours to take effect and the UK has an anitdote ready as they make it in their lab.
Ukraine is none of our business. It is the Ukrainians business and they are in a mess thanks to the US and its desire for regime change - we got them a corrupt puppet who is unable to pass any legislation and is under the thumb of the Azov Battalion, I read the Kyiv Post every day and the country is a total wreck. The only reason it exists is due to the money from the IMF and EU and US. The Oligarchs in Ukraine have looted it dry.
"The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites." Gosh, I can't imagine living in a country like that!
5
I'm curious about Trump's role in all this activity. Who is actually making the decisions here? Something doesn't smell right.
2
But, but, but, I heard many times Trump say that that Putin and his buddies are our friends, and should come visit the White House.
"The Trump administration opposed that legislation but quietly acceded to it after it passed with a veto-proof majority."
So Congress finally got off its haunches and showed Trump that his "gut" is not the way to govern? Amazing.
Now, it the veto-proof legislation had been passed before Trump whispered into Putin's ear, "Get your money out of the US and hide it somewhere else." I might be impressed.
1
It’s long past time for public disclosure of individuals hiding behind a legal maze of offshore and domestic entities.
4
We've heard the why's & wherefore's of sanctions many times before. As for the how's & what's, that appeared in its most vague form near the end of this article: "But the administration has also imposed considerable economic penalties on Russia, with Friday’s action the latest in a string of similar moves."
Beyond complete descriptions & analyses of why Russia should be sanctioned - with which we all agree - there has been precious little said about what these sanctions are & what they will mean to these specific Russian politicians/oligarchs. Most are relieved the Administration has taken these moves, contrary to Trump's bland, passive responses to Putin's actions; however, it would be good to know what these sanctions actually are.
1
Because the sanctions were just imposed this morning, there's more to learn about these new developments. But of course we can predict that they would most likely target the oligarchs, Putin's friends, to help reduce his financial input and show Moscow how things are turning out.
Uh...the sanctions are that the oligarchs on the list have had any assets they have in America seized, and that our businesses are barred from dealng with them.
My only question is whether they've told Trump yet.
1
"The Trump administration opposed that legislation but quietly acceded to it after it passed with a veto-proof majority. "
And scene...
3
Unfortunately, they've probably already made their money and benefitted financially from interfering, colluding, and other sinister actions. And they are already among the richest in Russia and the world, so what do these sanctions even achieve? It would not be a surprise if Trump lifts those sanctions within months or even days.
Similarly, we have congressmen, Trump campaign and administration members who may also have become wealthier from working with the Russians to undermine our democracy and weaken us. I hope Mueller can hold all these people accountable and that we can seize their assets if found guilty, and be barred from ever holding public office again.
2
Requiring that ownership in real estate holdings be disclosed is a good first step. In conjunction with that the shell companies and LLC's that are the "screens" for these individuals should be required to report who their investors are. There are many American companies and individuals (i.e. Manafort) who have enabled these Russian plutocrats to plunder the Russian people and benefit from our economy. Let's give them the recognition they deserve.
92
Shell companies in tax havens are forbidden by local law to reveal who owns them. None of the big-bucks types who fund the DC lobbies wants to make war on that situation. The Russian plutocrats know that. There is, therefore, no way to stop them from buying properties or funding what they choose in this country on the QT..
This is all a farce and smokescreen to fool the gullible.
...and Trump. Let's not forget the huge number of Russian oligarchs buying Trump properties including Trump's Florida mansion.
*All* shell companies should be relegated to the trash heap of crooked finance. From money laundering, to illegal campaign finance, to tax evasion, shell companies are a gift to the rich (and foreign) from integrity-challenged legislators and sleazy lawyers. Do away with them completely. Transparency should be required.
1
And what will be the caveat? Because after hearing that Russia will be able to replace its "diplomats" expelled from the US with new ones, I am no longer believing anything I read. The NYT should do some indepth reporting about these "expelling" sanctions, which are nothing but a revolving door, and just for the sake of appearances.
6
Please share your reference, because it is unclear what you are referring to.
Wouldn't it be ironic if one of the results of the Trump presidency is the imposition of strict ethics regulation of all companies and individuals doing business in the United States?
We are impressed with the reach and extent of the money laundering and tax evasion schemes of those connected to Trump operatives.
Let's make international business honest. There's irony for you.
4
"...a direct attack by Russian mercenaries on American troops in Syria". Has this been reported before?
yes it has. I have called several of my representative about it, I wonder why none of gov’t officials have mentioned it and still aren't mentioning it. I felt and feel it is such an insult to our soldiers, we barely acknowledge their service in Syria. The militia from what I understand is funded by a Russian oligarch, I think the one who was/is friends of Manafort, I am not sure of that. I believe it is thought this oligarch did this with the permission of Putin. I am sure our president knows this as well. I am shocked by the effrontery of our president for invited Putin to OUR WH. Putin, who meddled in our election, sent his spies to kill a British citizen and attacked our troops in Syria. How is any of this possible? Perhaps the Republicans hope if they are silent we will forget about it. Same tactic they use over and over again, like gun control. Silence.
2
Yes. About 300 were killed. The New York Times and other news organizations reported the incident. Russia denied their participation in the attack on US-protected facilities.
Sadly, that's very true. The Republicans are just maintaining silence in the government because they want to hold their friendship with Russia. They know if they say anything, it will just make Russia look bad and they don't want that. They're Putin's puppets, and they just want him to stay in power.
1
They were given months to pull out funds.
They clearly saw which way the wind was blowing and that a storm was coming.
Would the Times be good enough to publish the values of these assets today, and what they were worth six months ago?
On real estate you hock it and move the money to a friendlier climate.
6
Too little, too late. Until Failing 45 proves that he has no money in Russia, and Russia has no money in him, he is nothing but a Russian Puppet.
7
It will be interesting to see how Putin tries a tit-for-tat on these measures since no sane person in the west would keep a plug nickel in his kleptocracy. Maybe he’ll just have to revert to what he does best and try to poison his adversaries.
1
One wonders if this late action is a warning to Trump financiers not to co-operate with the Mueller investigation, if questioned.
2
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
HAHAHAHA - takes one to know one Mr. Mnuchin. You and the rest of this corrupt administration are no better.
8
What happened to Dmitry Rybolovlev? I didn't see his name one the list. He is the Russian "Fertilizer King" who bought Trump's' $40MM Palm Beach mansion for $100MM. Never occupied and now torn down.
More curious to me is why Rybolovlev's private plane was co-located with Trump's in two different airports during the campaign, Charlotte and Las Vegas. Never did find out what that happy coincidence was about!
Any guesses? Anyone?
10
Mnunchin should get some credit for this. Uncharacteristic of this adminstration. Curious how he managed to get it through to approval.
sanctions are against individuals which has no real effect for Russia as a country
This is not altruistic on the part of Trump. He will use this late-breaking punishment (why 1.5 years late??) to claim Russian election hacking as retaliation when Democrats sweep midterms and when he is de-throned in 2020. I wouldn't put it past him to try to declare the midterm elections invalid.
2
Dear Mr. Harris,
It would have been helpful to specify what these sanctions are and how they will work. You seem to assume your readers already know this. I can assure you many do not.
4
Well, to be more exact, I think you can assure us that 1 does not..
Once again, when it comes to anything negative towards Russia, it is Trump's "Administration" that is credited with taking action, never the president himself.
Obviously, Trump wants to maintain "credible deniability" with the Kremlin.
1
What ARE the sanctions? And if the hallowed U.S. government is so offended by oligarchy, why doesn't it do something about the oligarchy within its own borders? It's discouraging that people in power play these little maneuvering games, while the citizenry watch in fear. It doesn't seem right, as most people just want to live in peace.
11
Upon reading it appears more that the Administration finally got around to enforcing some of the sanctions passed by Congress, after months of refusing to do so, and only after McMaster called them out in public. Perhaps shaming them into action. As Jeff G notes, the "article does not cite or list what the sanction are. What are they?"
And toward the end of the article it states, "But the administration has also imposed considerable economic penalties on Russia, with Friday’s action the latest in a string of similar moves." -- What were those? A short list of those already-imposed sanctions would be a nice detail. And, were they also from the list previously passed by Congress and begrudgingly enforced by this Administration?
Seems the only way the public even knows they are implementing these sanctions is through press coverage, and never from Sarah's perch at the pressers. Strange way to "back channel" the release of such important news to the American public.
6
I share other readers frustration at not getting a full report on the extent of sanctions.
However, I was intrigued by the final two paragraphs discussing the possibility that NATO aligned countries (even Turkey??) could agree that public disclosure of ownership of assets is a requirement for owning property, unless a judge can be persuaded that privacy is necessary for personal security.
Appalled we may be that opaque ownership runs rampant throughout the planet, the United States is even worse than the U.K. (especially London) in terms of condoning, even sanctioning, shell companies that allow the laundering of ill-gotten gains.
I can't even begin to imagine the trillions of dollars of stolen wealth that has been run through the real-estate markets of major U.S. A. cities. The U.S. needs to lead the way and end this travesty of justice.
At least in the end, the cost of a condo will drop as thieves scramble to sell off their assets. But where will the money go? Back to the nation from whom it was stolen? I hope.
2
Some of the Russians' money is most definitely found in Trump properties, both in the U.S. and abroad.
5
So, what ARE the sanctions? This article never says. According to the BBC:
"Any assets [the targeted individuals] have under US jurisdiction have been frozen and US nationals are forbidden from doing business with them."
1
This is really funny. As the concentration of wealth in the US continues merrily along with the gov't blissfully giving huge tax cuts to those who don't need them. The alleged interference was pathetically ineffective and had no material effect on the outcome of the election. H. Clinton's misbegotten campaign continues to haunt the country. The still unproven claims of Russian alliance with Trump harm the country.
1
c harris in North Carolina, time to move on, though your frustration is understandable. Trump is there only as long as we allow him to be, but his successor may be only less inclined to twitter if the American public doesn't begin to think for itself and beyond media (large corporate) bias..
Well, at least you've progressed to where you're admitting that there was any meddling at all, and past the point where you're still claiming that Devin Nunes proved that Trump had nothing to do with no Russians.
There have been many articles in the Times and other media about these sanctions but I have yet to read one that actually describes how they work. i assume they're intended to prevent these oligarchs (or at least some of them) from investing in the U.S. and U.S. friendly countries or stashing their ill-gotten wealth there, but does that reaay work? They can probably do it by shell cor[porations and other well-known means. And of course there are plenty of other countries which will gladly accept their cash, no questions asked, e.g., China.
So the sanctions are little more than an expression of our disapproval but are not likely to deter Moscow's behavior.
3
'The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefits of oligarchs & government elites.' When I read that, I thought, 'Oh yeah, kinda like our government. I wish this Russiaphobia would stop. The US has surrounded Russia, politically (the expansion of NATO) and militarily . So it's natural that they aim their trolls at us. In addition this Russiaphobic policy has now pushed Russia & China, -the second & third most powerful nations in the world - countries which hadn't been on awfully friends terms - into each other's arms. Not good for American interests.
6
Now what about our oligarchs who are enriching themselves from Putin's, er, i mean trumpky's increasingly authoritarian rule? Oh I guess that would mean the repulican majority in congress. And why would they vote against their own self-interests.
2
Sweeping swipes at "the republican majority in congress" is unfair because a "democratic majority" would prove no better. The Democrats are flailing all over the place and one or two names made popular by the media is not the answer to their bankrupt politics.
I find the parallel to Mueller's investigation to date to be fascinating: Circle, but don't mention directly, the big fish by catching outliers (out-liars?). Perhaps Trump's hope is that riveting attention on the family, the in-laws, and others who profit from the Big Fish will somehow be enough bread-and-circus for permanent (or at least three more years) deflection.
It is also significant to me that 1) Trump himself says nothing in public about these actions, their aims and goals, and 2) no one, but NO ONE says anything about sanctioning the Big Fish. Is that the bottom line: Neither "Don" says anything about, nor allows anyone to specifically mention, the other? What would be the consequence of either crossing that Rubicon?
4
The US government also operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and elites. So what else is new?
13
From another grey grandma - Exactly what I thought & when I also read: “Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.” One could substitute "Russian oligarchs & elites" just as easily & truthfully to "American oligarchs & elites..." The destabilizing activities of Trump is one of his main objectives & "strategies", that of a disruptor which pleases the unhappy, fearful, uninformed 35% of the base which supports him.
1
The trouble is, how can we condemn this behaviour when Trump is making us more like Russia every day, discrediting respected media, favoring deals to monopolize national media conglomerates, and of course favoring oligarchs, corrupt corporations and rich friends of Trump and his cabinet, like Pruitt.
5
What "respected media" are you referring to? One has to try for the BBC, and that's a long shot.
I’m more interested in whether the US and NATO have an antidote for Novichok in case the oligarchs try to exact revenge for these sanctions. Would be nice to hear from our DoD and the CDC that we can be protected against these outlawed, but apparently still available weapons.
1
Now go after the Chinese kleptocrats.
7
“The Trump administration imposed new sanctions on seven of Russia’s richest men and 17 top government officials on Friday in the latest effort to punish President Vladimir V. Putin’s inner circle for interference in the 2016 election and other Russian aggressions.”
What Russian state interference in the US election of 2016?
We’ve been reading this claim of interference since Oct 2016, and so far no evidence to support the claim has emerged.
Also what’s the connection between the Skripal case and Russian, that they were Russian?
The UK’s lab has explicitly said “we can’t tie the poison to Russia”.
Then, what Russian aggressions, illegally invading Iraq, destroying the functioning state of Libya?
Why is the Times treating Syria as Russian aggression, the government welcomed the Russians.
It’s a big stretch to say that Russia seized the Crimea too.
I’m reading much ersatz news here today.
1
How can any article mention dispelling 60 Russian diplomats without mentioning that they can be replaced immediately? All part of Trump's obscene Putin love, that tries to negate every punishment we put forth. Even with the oligarch list -- is this one real or ripped off from a cheesy Forbes magazine article again? When our own WH is fighting our policies, really, more details are needed.
3
Is that Oligarchs or oilgarchs --- including Tillerson?
2
Narcissists will calculate when the best time to pick a fight to get the best outcome. It will originate nitpicky and push harder and harder until you blow up. If the blow up happens in public, the narcissist will play innocent and will act as you were the aggressor and that they were innocent. The narcissist will say things like “lighten up”, “It was only a joke” while looking at others as if to imply “see what I have to deal with”. Narcissists need our reactions and must have that reaction to get what they want. They must win at all costs. They are toxic, attention-seeking individuals that can’t stand to be put on the back burner.
Putin is a psychopath with narcissistic tendency. He is picking a fight but on the global scale it would be called an act of war. For now, it is being nitpicky looking or to say he is using cyber warfare to attack many other nations. Since he isn’t using the normal weapons of war, no countries seem to know how to deal with it. Then there is Trump that is actually colluding with Putin.
1
You want to build a wall Mr. President AND you want to hurt Russia and China? Then I have the perfect answer for you: Build a wall around West 57th Street in Manhattan. It's Russian oligarch and Chinese embezzler Central and has inspired those other threats to domestic tranquility, real estate developers, to destroy the face and soul of this city in order to accommodate them. Its hard to overestimate the harm all this foreign money has done to skew the market and make life unlivable for anyone of modest means.
3
Crimea was always part of Russia until Kruschev gave it away to Ukraine. The vast majority of people there wanted to be part of Russia, and Putin only honored that democracy. Russia's intervention in Syria at the behest of that sovereign state's government is "aggression," but ours (in defiance of that sovereign state's government) is not?
4
"The Trump administration opposed that legislation but quietly acceded to it after it passed with a veto-proof majority."
Trump had no power to veto the sanctions. To avoid seeming powerless or outsmarted, Trump now pretends he agreed with implementing sanctions against Russia. It's all smoke and mirrors.
9
Please investigate how many of these and other Russian Oligarchs have purchased Trump real estate. Did they get it at a reduced price? Overpriced for laundry reasons? Or do they just rent half of Manhattan for $50?
12
Did I miss it? What are the sanctions imposed on these rich people in another country? Or is this just another smokescreen?
6
Yes, I mean - like - state the news so we can see it instead of burying it in verbiage or not covering it at all.
1
Do sanctions of this kind actually change the behavior of nations?
1
It can if the nations are being run by the people sanctioned, which is the case in Russia, which is now a Dictatorship of Putin. Anyone wealthy there is under his control. And as the Russian economy is weak, they all want to park their money elsewhere, and in dollars, pounds, and euros, not in rubles. So maybe this can make them all unhappy with Putin's plays in the West and just generally sow discord at the top in Russia.
I wonder how much property owned by Russian oligarchs is tied to Trump properties?
I'll bet that Robert Mueller knows.
9
Or not. I mean these billionaires - their lawyers and accountants - go to great lengths to hide stuff.
1
It will be interesting to see how the seized properties are treated, as I suspect many of those owned by Russian oligarchs, who use corporate shields and attorneys to hide their identities are in Trump Towers?
3
NY Times: “The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “Russian oligarchs and elites... will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
... The American elite frankly and brazenly indicates what and how the Russian government should do. This is not meddling in the affairs of Russia - this is ordinary banditry and racket, elevated to the rank of state policy of the United States.
The most curious thing is that the American public does not see anything shameful in this.
1
article does not cite or list what the sanctions are. What are they?
4
My very first thought. Are these Magnitsky-type sanctions? That is, visa bans, frozen accounts? Because that would have real teeth. What else might they be?
Wondering the same thing.
O, I see: when we violate Syria's sovereignty by conducting war there against the will of its government, that's okay, but when Russia does it at the invitation of that sovereign state's government, that's "aggression."
4
I was hoping to learn what the sanctions are from reading this article on sanctions. Oh well.
3
Amen. I don't like misleading titles. Where's the meat!
Forbidding foreign nationals from purchasing real estate in cash, and subjecting large real estate transactions to additional AML scrutiny would be a good start.
2
Nice idea but why are we turning a blind eye to the members of the Trump administration, INCLUDING the President himself, who are enriching themselves through their appointments???? What's good for the Russians ought to be good for American's as well.
4
Anything he can do to prevent them from hiding their stolen money
through buying U.S. real estate through LLC's? Here in NYC, many have done this including one who (publicly) bought an $88 million pied a terre for his young daughter, who lives in Monaco. (link below)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076017/Ekaterina-Rybolovleva-22...
10
The penultimate paragraph notes that this is a focus of NATO allies. What they could do is require that the beneficial owner--an actual person--must be known to the state and any participating financial institution for real estate transactions. You could still keep your purchase private generally, but the state would know who is buying. That gives them a chance to vet where the $ comes from. The UK is trying to come up with a way to throw out people who bring in ill-gotten gains and hide it by buying London real estate.
1
But do the oligarchs kill or overthrow putin now? Do the sanctions work?
1
Smoke and mirrors, folks, just more Trumpian smoke and mirrors. Trump will do nothing that disturbs Putin and his rich friends.
7
*The sanctions are designed to penalize those who are seen as enriching themselves from Mr. Putin’s increasingly authoritarian administration.*
Seems odd that they*d sanction the Russian oligarchs for doing the same thing the American oligarchs are doing. Guess the Russians aren*t paying well enough.
5
Given the stated reasons for the sanctions, America should put sanctions on America.
3
Yeah but they are OUR kleptocrats. Who apparently don't like the competition.
Especially for NYC penthouses.
2
Are you suggesting America has lost moral authority? How true, if we ever had it - maybe in 1945 right after WWII. Then back to business. Now even the business of religion in America is corrupted turning out Judas white Christians.
This should have been done much sooner. Hitting individual Putin-connected Russian kleptocrats and some of their business holdings is the way to go. The long-delayed expulsion of diplomatically camouflaged Russian spies last week was a good move in itself, but too vulnerable to tit-for-tat Russian retaliation (especially since there was no Mike Flynn around to secretly bribe the Russians not to respond.)
The British government should now carry through with its proposed investigation of the criminal sources of ill-gotten Russian money laundered in the UK and the acquisition of Mayfair luxury properties and Surrey manors--even British football teams.
(I must confess, though, there is one aspect of Russian tit-for-tat retaliation that would amuse me: drying up Trump son-in-law Kushner's secret Russian money-flow in retaliation for putting Putin son-in-law Shalamov on the sanctions list.)
132
A government that disproportionately works for and rewards oligarchs ... sounds strangely familiar.
46
EVERY tax structure in America is regressive - favoring the wealthy - the feds as well as every state and the District of Columbia - all regressive. SAD.
1
What specifically are the sanctions? It is impossible to tell from the article if this is just hype from the administration or if the sanctions will have real bite? Please provide details.
12
Hard to tell the difference, sometimes, between news - real news - and opinionated - even in the NYT. It's so easy to write. Much harder to cut and re-write until it's actually a good article.
I applaud POTUS for taking these actions.
I wish the current British government of Mrs May-be-not had as much courage to punish cronies and oligarchs hiding in plain sight in Moscow on the Thames.
British aristocracy, it's landed gentry and of course corrupt bankers have been blinded by all the stolen glitter that these oligarchs flaunt in those isles.
These oligarchs who are really thieves have bought a modicum of respectability and protection offered by British government.
It's hard to believe our society tolerating these types of oligarchs who buy their ways into our society. And it's even harder that we Americans would accord them respectability they deserve.
It's for no reason that American vigilance that no killings have occurred on our soil.
And I wish to point out that this same government and some of its allies and enemies such as the mayor of London insulted our POTUS. They demanded that British government withdraw its official invitation etc.
It's America who is actually doing more to punish -
and rightly so - Russia for its increasingly criminal and hostile actions against our allies in Europe and other places.
My hunch is that like other dictators who risked a reelection at any cost - Mr Putin is going to find that this reelection is a chalice laden with poison.
He has gambled on staying longer than what he should have. Unfortunately, for many Russians, they are indeed a collateral damage.
3
Every time we impose sanctions on Russia, Putin's popularity at home increases. Far better to make life uncomfortable for the people who Putin relies on to maintain power. He will only go when they decide its time. This is a wise strategy.
2
Russians may hate us but most sure want to move here or the UK.
1
So let me get this straight. He greenlights the sanctions more than half a year after they were called for by the legislative branch, including his own party?
I'm sure none of the oligarchs had any time to restructure their U.S. portfolios.
What a farce.
15
"The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites"
Astonishing quote with no mention about election meddling. And American kleptocrats/oligarchs are even more threatening to our democracy, if reports are true: Mercers (Cambridge Analytica, election meddling); Kochs (fossil fuels/endless pollutants/encroachment on national parks buttressed by Pruitt, Ryan, McConnell); Adelsons (Casinos/bribery/organized crime); Smiths (Sinclair Broadcasting, breaking 1st Amendment/FCC and Ajit Pai) and scads of "dark money" from gop SAN, "Secure America Now." All we have is the vote to end this in November or be buried for a very long time.... So, vote.
4
If we can secure our voting mechanisms and machinery, yes, voting is good. But I'm afraid they're hacked, manipulated and Gerrymanded to the death of Democracy.
1
The billion dollar US hedge and private equity funds that launder and invest the Russian money--all under offshore cover names-- are likely to be untouched and are surely chuckling today.
4
They chuckle every day. And they don't care about the hoi polloi whatsoever.
1
Finally the long delayed sanctions with softly specified terms are here. At the same time Russia is trying to counteract consequences of American and possible other countries’ actions by placing foreign-currency bonds in various markets. The idea was to help wealthy Russians to repatriate their ill-gotten capitals by purchasing those bonds. Instead, foreign investors are buying those bonds like hot cakes (the bonds are in a lavish 4.75% yield range) thus poring money into Russian economy. Russian VTB Capital placed $7.5 billion eurobonds in March. More than half were snapped up by institutional investors from the UK (the victim) in one day.
As Lenin used to say “the capitalists will happily sell us the rope with which we will hang them”. Some sanctions – shmanctions!
3
Wondering why the article does not detail the sanctions themselves so the readers can judge by themselves if these sanctions are for real or not.
2
Are these sanctions materially more severe than condemning them in the strongest possible terms? No way to tell.
Don't be fooled... These sanctions are really intended to prevent USA Customs officers from catching these oligarchs, seize their cellphones, etc. These sanctions actually benefit Trump.
4
It certainly would add to the understanding to know the exact form of these “punishing sanctions”. The targets are extraordinarily wealthy and whatever is being imposed may not even cause them to grimace.
2
They'll just take their toys and jets and yachts to a different playground instead.
1
So what exactly are these sanctions? Do these penalties ban the oligarchs from traveling here? Do they seize or even just freeze any of their doggedly-traceable holdings here? These men should not be able to bask in our democracy and free economy, only to help the man trying to destroy it all.
16
Yes, the article was surprisingly unspecific. Or have the sanctions not yet been defined in detail? Either way, more information is needed.
3
There seems to be a strange lack of specificity concerning the exact nature of the sanctions. Considering that the Mueller investigation has just started stopping many of these same oligarchs at the airport when they fly into the US to examine their phones and laptops, forbidding their travel into the US might be of great help to the object of Mueller's investigation. When will that shoe drop ?
6
Trump, of course, has not abandoned his love ( or is it fear?) of Putin, it's just that he doesn't love him more than he loves himself. There is nothing narcissist Trump loves more than himself! All this fake new "tough" positions he is taking against Russia only shows that he is starting to panic about Robert Mueller's investigation, and when impeachment arrives, he wants to send a message to the GOP - defend me at all cost and please rest assured that Putin has nothing compromising on me, you can trust me to defend the United States and its allies against increasing Russian aggression.
Trump is panicking and if the GOP values country above party they shouldn't fall for his trick because if he survives the Robert Mueller investigation he would proceed to act like a Russian agent in the White House!
4
"'The ... government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,' said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "
OK, who are we talking about, here?
60
"The pot calling the kettle black" as my grandmother would say!
1
Who will step in to inflate personal & business property values if Russian oligarchs are discouraged? This will be a dreadful anchor levied on upscale developers & realtors of the East Coast.
Just as millions of Americans await anxiously for oil prices to rise signifying a thriving economy, so brokers stand on the tarmacs to greet the reps of oligarchs ready & willing to stimulate our American economy. What is the Trump administration thinking?
3
Seems more like Trump delayed this move to allow the targets to remove as much of their assets from the country as possible.
44
Closing the barn door after the horses have got out?
Congress passed this sanctions law many months ago; this delay gave the Russian Oligarchs plenty of time to sell and/or move their assets and money to a safe haven.
23
This is a welcome and hugely important step given the questionable ways in which these individual's so called wealth has been made possible. Sadly, our partners in London, where many of these individuals reside while " their"money is hidden and laundered ,have yet to move in this direction.It's time to see whether English hypocrisy and greed can play second fiddle to doing the right thing when so many of them are at the trough.
2
Has anyone asked whether these new sanctions are tied to revelations that Mueller is questioning Russian Oligarchs at airports. If I was a suspicious man I might think this is yet another effort to obstruct Justice. How do I keep Mueller away from the Russians who illegally channeled money into my campaign, Ahhh, I'll put sanctions on all the witnesses so Mueller can't get to them. After a year and a half of stalling one should wonder why now is the time Trump decides to sanction Oligarchs.
32
The oligarch sanctions we are witnessing result from a begrudging decision by Donald Trump that he must do something to bolster his ultimate impeachment defense, as the Mueller investigation accelerates. And, as the midterm elections approach, Republicans are pressuring Trump to do something.
This article speaks of “an oddly disjointed policy toward Russia on the part of the Trump administration.”
That policy is merely a reflection of the fact that the cozy Trump-Putin relationship needs to fade into the background – temporarily – for domestic political reasons.
4
From the article:
"Hundreds of millions of dollars in property in cities like London, New York and Miami are estimated to be owned by Russian oligarchs, who use corporate shields and attorney to hide their identities."
Isn't using corporate shields and attorneys to hide their identities exactly what rich Americans do? Isn't it true that if own rules did not provided for it, the Russians would never have been been able to do it?
And don't we have Oligarchs too? What about the Koch Bros. - in what way are they not oligarchs. Or the people who run Goldman Sachs and constantly slide in and out of our government? And the banks of the Federal Reserve System that control our Money Supply - are they headed by Oligarchs who are "close to the President"? I think so.
Basically, Russia dropped Communism, took up Capitalism, and now we hammer them for it constantly. What kind of sense does that make?
10
What better way to show that you haven’t “colluded” than to “punish” (?) your election partners?
14
What are the sanctions?
4
And why weren’t they levied when Congress passed them LAST YEAR?
1
"The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites"
You can substitute "United States" for "Russia" in that sentence and it would be just as true.
11
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
The Trump administration is the Comstock Lode of irony.
11
Why not describe what the sanctions do?
The news media does everyone a disservice when it does not explain the whole story.
Example: recent expulsions. We expel 60 diplomats, they expel 60 diplomats, but what no one reports is that each country can reapply to bring back in 60 diplomats. So what is the net effect? Nothing
Example: sanctions. They won't take effect for 6-9 months. The media make it sound as if they are immediate and they are not.
So.....is anyone going to tell us what these sanctions do....or are they just press releases designed to make it look like there is action when there is not?
6
Putin is an extremely wealthy Russian oligarch. I recall the sanctions that would have personally affected him were not implemented by the Trump administration. Has this round targeted him? Can't seem to get enough details.
4
Sure, expel the Russian diplomats. But there is nothing in writing that forbids Russia from sending more to replace them. For that matter, Russia can send as many diplomats as they want.
3
>>The sanctions come just as investigators working for Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel looking into the possibility of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, have begun to question Russian oligarchs about possible financial links between those in Mr. Putin’s orbit and people close to Mr. Trump.<< Hmmm. A message here? -- Trump can hurt you more than Mueller can.
This article is rendered useless by the omission of any description of the "sanctions". If we don't know what the "sanctions" are, then someone should find out. Considering Mr. Trump's record of dependency upon the Russians (their interference with our election process won him the presidency), these are probably very weak, to the point of inconsequential.
3
You would think that something as important as this would be explained by the President of the United States, not only for maximum effect, but to demonstrate to Americans and the rest of the world, why we’re doing this. Once again with all matters Russia, silence from Trump. Instead, we get tough action imposed by Congress, while Trump wants Putin to be his best friend. What does Putin have on him? This is not normal.
4
Who, what, where, when and how. Please, NYT: What are the sanctions? At one point they are called "penalties". What are the penalties? Without that information it is hard to make any sense out of this matter.
4
Will nothing satisfy Trump haters? Of course not. It is this aggression which accounts for a large part of the divisiveness in these United States. Not what Russia does.
What will satisfy the opposition to Trump is for him to follow the rule of law. Very simple.
2
We don't hate Trump. What we hate is the cloudiness of your vision. We are not aggressing upon you. We are in a defensive posture against the depredations of the current administration, in which Trump is as much of a follower as any of the rest of you.
1
On the other hand, is Putin still visiting White House at Trump’s invitation??
“No one has been tougher on Russia than me” says the guy who can’t say a single negative thing about Putin and Russia and continues to play good cop with him while playing bad cop with everyone else including our allies, China, Duterte, Sisi...
I will start taking Trump’s claim seriously if he personally calls out Putin for his bad behavior including influencing the 2016 election.
“I believe Putin when he says he didn’t meddle” says the man who would rather criticize his own intelligence that is protecting America than the thug who is actually attacking us (including hacking into our power infrastructure).
As of now, Putin still owns him, our allies in Europe don’t know how much to count on him, and our intelligence don’t know whether what they do matters...
Enough with the double talk, Mr. Trump.
5
Putin looks red faced these days....no need wondering why.
1
This is hysterically funny. Trump who is enriching himself at the expense of the American people, is supposedly sanctioning other rich people enriching themselves. I suppose that leaves the spoils mostly for himself. What a joke!
14
Finally, some substantial sanctions. Shamalov, Vekselberg, Deripaska, Rotenberg-Jr. will especially hurt. Expect raging answer from Putin.
Where in this story does it say these vaunted sanctions are substantial? We don't know if they're pinpricks or truly painful.
1
This is piddly stuff. Go after Russia's access to international banking. Cut them off, throttle them until they cry "Uncle" and promise to keep their filthy mitts off our elections, our utility grids and anything else that isn't theirs to play with.
6
I cannot be the only person who wonders at the irony here -
"Punish people who enrich themselves under an autocratic regime" ???
It's classic "Do as I say, not as I do," but in a way so Twilight Zonish that you wonder if some communications interns from U. Syracuse ought to be drafted into the National Guard and NOT sent to the border with Mexico - send them to DC or Florida, and tell them that when they find themselves rubbing their eyes or howling with laughter ...
SAY SOMETHING ... "to the grown-up" ... thieves or to someone in the 3-6 layers above them. ... How DID DJT avoid total bankruptcy, incarceration or institutionalization up to now?!
And while I'm "playing God," how 'bout Kelly brings in a "trainer" in Ethics 101 or Avoid-Bad-Press 101 and make everybody listen up!
Nobody's perfect, but just as the Times has run a few pieces suggesting that Trump is literally the KGB's biggest success story (and one saying that Putin is the CIA's gift to Russia), the almost daily story or stories of a "WHAT WAS HE THINKING?" variety are starting to be supremely UN-funny.
I guess we should be glad that they keep shooting themselves in the foot, but if 40% of the voters aren't tired yet of every day being April First, maybe we should be mortified instead.
3
So can it be expected that there will be sanctions against Russian/ Israeli oligarchs who also made off with Russia’s assets after the fall of the Soviet Union. Didn’t think so, as most of them aren’t “Pals of Putin”, especially the ones in Ukraine who would like to drag Russia into a major War, although there was a mention in the economist about possible cancellation of some sort of tax “ holiday” currently being enjoyed by Russian Jewish oligarchs spiriting money to off shore havens such as Israel where many enjoy “right of return” status which incidentally angers some of the locals as the main impact this has is to push up property prices. Example A would have to be Roman Abramovich who recently laid down Twenty Five Mil for a Hotel in Israel that it is assumed he is converting to a get away pad for himself, that in addition of course to the hundred million dollar home he has in Palm Beach, the worlds largest yacht and of course The Chelsea Football Club he owns where he could presumably bunk down if times got rough.
1
I love the NYTimes. It is the most trusted news source among my friends and family. But you dropped the ball on this story. It’s about Trump imposing sanctions. But what ARE the sanctions ?????
3
"The ... government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites. ... oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government's destabilizing activities." --- Steve Mnuchin
Let's see, we've got Carson's $31,000 dining room table, Shulkin's $122,000 European vacation, Price's $1 million travel budget, likewise for Mnuchin, Zinke's helicopter rides and $139,000 office door, Pruitt's $100,000 in first class plane tickets and $43,000 soundproof phone booth, and Trump's mulit-million dollar golf outings to Mar-A-Lago.
So who, exactly, was Mnuchin talking about?
11
I wonder if Donald knows this yet. Has it been reported on Fox?
5
What form do these sanctions take? I'm not seeing that spelled out in this article.
1
Trump goes into sanctions kicking and screaming knowing at any time his blackmailing Russian counterpart may pull the rug out from under him. What a dilemma!
4
What exactly are the sanctions? I see clues as to what they might be, but nothing definitive.
13
Right. “Sanction” is mentioned 22 times in this article but never explained.
1
Seizing assets, and no business with Americans or American companies. But Trump gave them so much time to exit their assets, I bet they broke even.
We seized a few oil barons assets when they got caught with their heads up Tea Pot. They had fled to Paris.
3
We need NOTHING from the Russians. We don’t need their oil and there is nothing they produce that we need. We don’t really have much need for relations with them.
Let’s go after their Visas to this country. Let’s also voluntarily reduce our Embassy staff in Moscow and kick out all the Russian embassy staff in the US. We have nothing to lose and they have much to lose. Let’s cut off access to their banking here in the US. The Russians act like enemies so let’s treat them that way.
7
As long as Russia has atomic weapons and a means to send them to the US we shall have a "need" for relations with Russia.
We import many critical metals from Russia. One of the most important is titanium. Boeing and many defense contractors use it in aircraft manufacturing. There is not a readily available replacement for it.
Are you saying we should accept having relations with Russia just because of their atomic threats? That is not a healthy relationship, but acceptance of Russian attempts at intimidation. To heck with them! Ignore and have nothing to do with them! Under Putin they will never be our real partners.
Great. Now we have a list of Russian oligarchs who Putin deems to be expendable.
2
According to Michelle Goldberg's opinion piece this morning, there's a "Conspiracy Theory That Says Trump Is a Genius." If that were true, it would make Putin the smartest man who ever lived. Together, these two mega-intellects are managing to alienate allies, rivals, and (at least on the surface) one another by employing brilliant strategies that are simply too remarkable for lesser intellects, such as myself and everyone on the left, to grasp.
If I didn't believe Trump is a genius, I'd be wondering why Putin is letting his puppet in the WH get away with this nonsense.
1
There goes trump's majority business client base. If our government confiscated all Russian oligarch properties in the USA, how much of Trump Tower is that? The American people would get most of the assets under the Trump brand - sounds like just desserts with 2nd helpings to me.
Will Putin retaliate against the only oligarch that matters - trump? Call in his loans?
This took so long in order to give Russians time to shield their assets the way American oligarchs do - taking it offshore.
Trump touted he'd improve relations with Russia. As it turns out trump is a pushover for Putin and the master is taking full advantage of it. Now our relationship is the worst ever.
The Mnuchin says "Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites." Same as America's government! The Republican oligarch's goal is to make them untouchable by anyone, like in Russia. Once America's government is vanquished on behalf of American oligarchs, they will have free reign on all governments the world over with none able to challenge them. With an oligarch in the White House, they are so close to succeeding!!
Trump is subverting Western democracies more than Putin, the runner up. Indeed, trump has a bigger thumb!
The blockchain-like legal and fake corporate enterprises used to hide true ownership should be eliminated. If the actual ultimate owner can't prove ownership, confiscate it. Break the chain of obvious illicit reasons for hiding ownership.
8
Thanks for the clarification.
Based on our current President's lack of anything critical of Russia, I thought we were in Russia.
Whew.
Forgive me, what are the sanctions?
10
This dirty laundry needs a more complete airing.
These sanctions are welcome and good start, but they are merely a token-- a sop to Trump's critics. They don't begin to touch the full cast of shady characters that have been colluding with the Trump and Kushner families or the cabal of Trump campaign cronies. Congress should press hard for a more complete set of sanctions, and should publicize the specific reasons for imposing them. Moreover, the State of New York should be investigating the shell corporations buying New York properties in the Russian money laundering scheme.
With some luck, and some vigilance we may yet curtail Russian interference in our national affairs, despite the interference of Emperor Trump.
8
The article never explains what the sanctions are.
7
At least South Korea can put their former president in prison, for corruption and collusion.
Trump, take note.
We are compiling everything.
The truth eventually all comes out.
Fake news crumbles away.
But the Truth endures. That is why they call it the Truth.
7
Is this action a psychosomatic mirroring the american oligarchs around dt himself? Seems everything he claims about others, their cheating, their duplicity, their crookedness, their smallness, accurately applies to him himself.
5
Seeing that Steve Mnuchin criticized a government for disproportionately benefitting a group of oligarchs is just too much hypocrisy to take.
71
Concur with another comment. What are the sanctions? This article discusses sanctions on Putin's cronies but then never discusses what the sanctions actually entail. Are they travel sanctions? Financial sanctions? I assume the last paragraph which discusses laws forcing owners of companies and properties to be disclosed relates to the sanctions somehow. Do these proposed laws apply only to foreign owners or to domestic owners as well?
9
I have no doubt that during their most recent phone call Putin gave him a approved list of those Trump could "sanction".
5
I think the delay was strategic to give Putin's buddies time to get his money out of the US.
1
So what exactly do these sanctions do? Was there a paragraph here I missed?
2
That darn collusion thing with the Russians is working out so well for them.
Maybe they should ask for a refund?
1
Whoa! Radical here:
"Both the British Parliament and the United States Congress are considering legislation that would require that the owners of companies and properties be disclosed."
Seriously, accountability for the rich...it'll never happen as long as our 'democracy' is based on knee-jerk voting blocks comparing candidate alternatives whose image is paid for by wealthy vested interests
7
For decades no one's name was on AZ titles. Just the numbers. Another reason why the mafia put a whole lot of money into AZ real estate.
Are these the real oligarchs or taken from the Forbes list? I thought trump pooh poohed all of this Russian attack talk, so why the sanctions? Just more diversion from the disfunction and corruption in the administration? When will it end? When will the republicans in Congress act like Americans and mobilize to protect this country from trump?
6
I don’t think they will. Seems they made the political calculation to stay silent and hope they maintain majorities in congress. If they oppose Trump, they get beat up by the base and lose to a Trumpster. With gerrymandered districts they have a better chance of surviving by staying silent and taking their chances Anaya Dem. Re-election before country. It is pathetic.
1
I have so lost trust in this administration and Republican Congress, especially in any matters relating to Russia, that I am looking for the escape clauses that are probably hidden in the fine print somewhere.
9
I believe that's what Obama was referring to with his hot mic "I'll have more flexibility after the election" comment.
1
I doubt it. You notice that neither Obama nor his advisers never had to hire counsel.
Only a year too late. I wonder what could have happened in that year? Accounts moved, assests shifted, traitors protected. This is more ways for Trump to distract his cult followers. I am not so easily distracted.
7
This article reports:
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Gee, the Trump gang does that here in the USA. Will the Trump gang impose sanctions on the Trump gang too?
17
Kirill Shamalov is Putin's EX-son-in-law as of January of this year. That meant he was basically stripped of his wealth and influence from then on. Which makes this a curious target for sanctions now...
9
Possibly, but that family feud could be a ruse to make us look away from the offed son-in-law. Putin's got so much stolen money, he has to spread it around or it comes out of his ears!
Recall Trump helped a divorcing Russian buy a massively overpriced penthouse in NYC.
It doesn't say that he is Putin's son-in-law. And don't kid yourself.
"And Mr. Trump said this week that he wants American forces to leave Syria soon, an exit that would benefit Iran, Russia and its ally, Mr. Assad."
American disengagement from the Syrian conflict would no doubt benefit Iran, Russia and Assad. It would also benefit we the people of the US who are vehemently opposed to the waste of lives and treasure started by Bush/Cheney and continuing to the present day.
George Washington warned against foreign entanglements. Dwight Eisenhower warned against the power of the military industrial establishment. Yet fools are keeping us entangled and kowtowing to the war machine. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria have all been misadventures wrapped in quagmires perpetuated by cowardly, wasteful, murderous frauds.
Are not Americans and Vietnamese better off now that we're not bombing and dousing them with agent orange? Will not the middle east find its own equilibrium when we stop shooting it up?
Stop the American wars now.
12
Besides, we need our soldiers to guard the Mexican border!
1
So who is behind this? Trump obviously isn't going to do anything without be forced to because Putin has him in his back pocket.
3
Once it was known that Russia had "meddled" in the 2016 election sanctioning Russian oligarchs should have been the first order of the day. Trump supporters think it's OK for him to be immoral, corrupt, willfully ignorant, but that they would chose to believe that Russia's "meddling" in the 2016 election is a "hoax" shocks me. A hostile foreign government seeking to undermine our democracy is not a partisan issue. Once the entire story is revealed, it will be interesting to hear how they attempt to defend their profoundly unpatriotic attitudes and behavior.
6
I don't trust Trump to punish Russia or it's oligarchs. He's more concerned creating his own circle of oligarchs.
5
One thing you will never here Trump say: "I'm not a crook." Even his supporters would know that's a lie.
3
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
Oh really, Mr Mnuchin?
4
How long will it take before a comment is posted blaming Trump for not acting sooner against Russia, or insinuating that he is simply deflecting attention from the Mueller investigation? I'll bet it appears in the first 3 comments.
The sad thing is that Trump would doubtless love to be referred to as an "oligarch" and "Putin crony."
3
Yes these "corporate Shields" can be had in the great state of Delaware over a fax machine in about 24 hrs.Why do these entities exist,except to help the worlds richest companies and individuals some how legally to avoid taxes that are owed on these billions? This corruption is worldwide and must be stopped.
5
In retaliation, Putin will now have leaked the "Golden Showers" video and any other nefarious video/audio recordings of Trump. In response, Trump will claim that said recordings are "fake" and "photoshopped" to look like him.
1
Steven Mnuchin's words are ironically apt when applied to the current state of American government under Trump: "The [United States] government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites...[American] oligarchs and elites who profit from this [Trump-run] system [continue to] be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
3
Putin still has an ally, or more likely a terrified blackmail victim, at the top level of our government. Until Congress acts to remove him we are still in great peril.
3
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
The U.S. administration operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites. Can we sanction them too?
8
Did I miss something, or did the article fail to mention what the sanctions actually are?
2
A rare good first step. The next step is to provide countries that rely on Russian gas and oil an alternative source so that they don't continue feeding the Russian oligarchy.
So does this mean we all agree now that there was an assault on our elections in 2016? Good to get that out of the way. Now let’s punish our own oligarchs for helping Russia do it.
1
Could the NYT please furnish an in-depth, follow up story, or detailed graphics, indicating what specifically these "sanctions" provide for. Are the oligarchs prevented from investing further in the U.S., will they face confiscation of existing properties, will the public be provided with a full accounting of their American properties, how are they connected to Putin, where did their wealth come from, etc., etc.? Thank you very much.
4
They'll be denied access to pools on Trump properties?
2
The Don strikes again! Where it really hurts Putin,he cares not if his people starve but does care that his inner circle is inconvenienced.
"The sanctions are designed to penalize some of Russia’s richest industrialists, who are seen in the West as enriching themselves from Mr. Putin’s increasingly authoritarian administration."
"Penalize" them how?? Just from travel to the US? Just as Mueller is having FBI agents waiting for them at airports for questioning and review of cell phones??
And what about Commerce Sec. Wilbur Ross and his significant business ties to Putin's son-in-law: "Leaked documents and public filings show Ross holds a stake in a shipping company, Navigator, through a chain of offshore investments. Navigator operates a lucrative partnership with Sibur, a Russian gas company part-owned by Kirill Shamalov, the husband of Putin’s daughter Katerina Tikhonova."
This smells of contrivance.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/05/trump-commerce-secretary-wi...
2
Finally, some good news about Russia. These should be expanded and toughened, but also tied to specific behavior, like disciplining a child.
Is there a long term strategy? They could stop their hacking, and get their penthouses back, but as long as the online mayhem can be restarted in an hour, what's the goal?
41
You want war with Russia? that's were this is heading. Stealing money from Russian businessmen is still stealing. Maybe Russia will accidentally lose some powerful missiles to the Taliban which may end up hurting US troops-you want that?. Be careful what you wish for.
Walking by a yacht today moored on the Bordeaux quay, my mind slipped to the collection of mega yachts Abramovich has. He started as a street trader, selling plastics ducks from his Moscow apartment. It didn't take long until he carved his way into ownership of state assets as most other Russian billionaires; here we are. Some sort of business partners we have in Russia. For all practical purposes these thieves and swindlers must be isolated and punished. Property is everything, the basis of any body of laws. When property acquired through illegitimate means, is stolen and/or abused, the law system goes to dogs and so will the country where that happens - this is not theory, is an axiom!
5
Not much of a trade off for getting out of Syria. Putin still wins.
3
Right. It does carry the stench of a very poor, very bad trade-off.
1
Details matter.
Unless these sanctions have "real bite" they're just propaganda.
10
Are these the sanctions congress passed with a veto proof majority a year ago finally being implemented? Or are these new ones that have Kremlin approval?
2
But none on Putin?
This is all a smoke screen to make it appear the Trump administration is "getting tough" with Russia.
I'm sure those wealthy Russians have plenty of money hidden in offshore accounts and trust.
7
What exactly as these supposed sanctions? Nothing in the article specifies.
8
Good. Now if we just start doing something to defend ourselves from Russian cyber warfare and election meddling.
4
Does this mean that the Trump Administration will be imposing sanctions on Donald Trump?
Any bets on how long it takes for these sanctions to be lifted? unless they are happening to benefit Putin's favorite American Oligarch....
1
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
What an irony that this statement is coming from the lips of Mnuchin who himself is beneficiary of Trump's corrupt cabinet which works full time for super-rich republican supporters like Koch brothers.
1
Exactly! Astonishing quote, since the American kleptocrats/oligarchs are more threatening to democracy: Mercers (Cambridge Analytica, election meddling), Kochs (fossil fuels, endless pollutants buttressed by Pruitt, Ryan, McConnell), Adelsons (Casinos/money laundering), Smiths (Sinclair Broadcasting, breaking 1st Amendment/FCC and Ajit Pai). All we have is the vote to end this in November or be buried for a very long time....
1
Has anyone told the President yet? He's not going to be happy.
3
We should doing the same to Trump's cronies.
1
45 biting the hand that feeds him? What could possibly go wrong? You know the 'stable genius' can't hold a candle to Vlad, this won't end well tomorrow, next year or thereafter.
Interesting that the administration never mentions election meddling as one of the reasons for the sanctions.
1
Did Trump impose the sanctions, or did "the White House" impose the sanctions? I ask because apparently those are two different things.
NYT, find out who in the Administration is behind this latest round of sanctions on the oligarchs - because this action surely was not initiated by DT. Someone or some group in the White House or on the Hill deserves credit for this. Who? and how did they work it through the Administration. By the way - Bravo!
1
It will be interesting to see what action if any Trump takes. Our POTUS seems to be mad at almost everyone but Putin.
Nice moves, but I wonder if now Russia will sanction Mr. Mnuchin, Scott Pruitt, and the likes of Ikan for the very same reasons? How about a sanctions war?
Having no choice clears the mind wonderfully, doesn't it?
If only Congress would hamstring him a second effectively in other matters.
The headline should read "Trump finally does his job and imposes sanctions approved overwhelmingly by Congress last year"
2
Trump is trying to appear distanced from these sanctions by having Mnuchin announce them. Is it good enough to prevent Putin from spilling the beans on Trump? Does Trump have a back channel line of communications with Putin to allow him a preview of such things and to obtain his approval? The odor emanating from Trump and his administration is becoming ever more foul on a daily basis.
1
If Putin really had something on Trump, how much will he endure these hits on his oligarchs, inclusive of his own son-in-law, before letting whatever roll out? Or maybe he is letting Mueller doing it on the money trail!
Sounds like Trump is learning lessons from Putin: deny anything is bad "good cop" and then do "bad cop" things like this at the same time. Russia interferes in US elections but Putin says it's not his fault. How long can we watch this international Ping-Pong game go back and forth between Trump and Putin while reports of China claiming their close ties with Putin are at an all time high?
Now if we can just find out how much of this ill-gotten loot was laundered through Trump real estate ventures, we might finally know what hold the Russians have on him. I suspect that some Trump secrets are so tightly held that even Trump’s cabinet don’t know them. Maybe he will get inadvertently outed by his own cabal.
Isn’t it crazy that this man is president of the USA?
1
Show them we mean business. Seize the assets.
1
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
Says Munchkin ! He of the tax-payer funded private jets and the wrinkle proof second wife who tells the rest of us to eat cake. He, engineer of the biggest tax cut ever for the most wealthy. The irony defies description.
Just substitute "Trump WH" for "Russian government.
And query why no consequences for the blatant thievery of the national treasure, blessed by a feckless, irredeemable congress..
3
I wonder: has Trump moved from being a subject in Mueller's investigation to a target?
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Well, ain't that the pot calling the kettle black?
A pity we don't impose strong economic sanctions on Trump, his family, and the other wealthy members of his administration and party, who have seen to enriching themselves like pigs to the trough, while impoverishing the rest of us.
1
Interesting. Since Trump's Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has been caught laundering Russian Oligarch money as a board member of Deutsche Bank in Cyprus, I wonder if he will get sanctioned? Doubt it.
1
If Putin indeed has cards to play against Trump personally -- election coordination, financial dealing, sex -- he's likely to play them when he's ready (had enough of Trump). And it wouldn't be surprising if China quietly encourages Putin to do so as well, given Trump's absurd blustering on trade. President Pence, anyone? The Republican mainstream would love the outcome too.
Can we also sanction our oligarchs that enable 45?
They also interfered in our elections and continue to interfere with Congress.
3
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
Russian can be changed to US in the above paragraph.
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Friday.
This is the best item of the day, when one thinks about the percentage of wealth of the top1 % in the USA or even the top 0,1% ...
The credibility of American institutions is going down the drain at a pace that is surprising.
What is next : China and Russia today, who's turn will it be next week ? because make no mistakes : if DT feels crossed by anything ( remember his comments about Germany ) he ( and his minions ) has no problem going against Europe next. Or Latin America. Or India.
We live in a strange and dangerous time.
trump's attempt to define the narrative does nothing to bolster his credibility.
Am I missing something or does this article never say what the sanctions actually do? This seems like important information!
2
But what ARE the sanctions? It is so frustrating to read about this term, but not know what a "sanction" is. Denial for theater tickets? Forfeiting assets? WHAT are we talking about here?
2
Prior to the recent poisoning in Salsbury, the CIA had advised Her Magesty's government that something like a dozen previous individuals had been poisoned in the UK in recent years by the Russian government which the UK did nothing about (except in one case) because of their corrupted self interest in making money from the Russian elites using London as a playground. It is terrific that the US government is doing something to meaningfully target the Russian mafia state. What is concerning is that so many prosperous citizens of western countries still unthinkingly flock to Russian tourism. Perhaps the closing of the US consulate in St Petersburg might cause more of these people to stop and think. You could argue it makes a positive difference to ordinary citizens except what is the reality of such contact? You could argue it primarily benefits ordinary people, but what degree of reality is there in that with a mafia state? You could argue that increasing isolation increases danger, and there could be truth in that.
I'm shocked at the so-called president's loyalty to Vlad - who'd have thought that this is one of those guys that "stays bought." Tammy Wynette sang it - "Stand By Your Man," so many years ago. How sweet.
Does Mr. Harris not know exactly what the sanctions are, or does he think the details are not important?
1
Trump always talked- pre-election- about how he would never telegraph his foreign policy moves. But these sanctions came in slow motion and it will be interesting to see how these Oligarchs planned for these sanctions. It would also not be surprising that the Trump Oligarchy wasn't intimately involved in letting favorites in on what was going to happen and when. Mr. Mueller should be paying attention to how all these Oligarch's, including the Trump's, have dealt with this.
Mueller is uncovering evidence of collusion and much more, so that the administration's sudden toughness on Russia is designed to get ahead and somewhat lessen the impact of the tsunami that Trump and his minions know is coming. Good luck with that...
Too bad this isn't retroactive. Maybe that way we could find out who owns the empty multi million dollar condo's in all of the new construction in NYC.
1
What are the sanctions?
An entire article on the subject does not say one word about what penalties are being imposed, only that there are sanctions.
1
Mind telling us what the sanctions actually are?
2
Here we are, 30 months into trump's political career and 15 months into trump's presidency and he releases the list of sanctions Congress imposed last year. Last Year.
This act - along with his West Virginia Act of dissing immigrants and California - tells you how concerned even trump is about the mid-term elections.
Do not be fooled, do not be fools. This has nothing to do with trump changing his tune re Russia. It's all a tactic towards distancing himself from the inevitable findings of the Mueller investigations and toward shoring up the mid-term elections.
The tariffs are solely the work of a sous chef serving his base! Oh, tariff talk is also to help his best friends buy low so they can sell high, later, while our portfolios, 401s, ETFs and equities sink.
1
To bad we can't have sanctions against those who are enriching themselves from Mr. Trump’s increasingly authoritarian administration.
It might be nice to describe the sanctions. What are they prohibited from doing? What is the punishment? It's implied, but not stated directly. C'mon, Times.
45
The Russians have friend in Trump. If he could have stopped the sanctions he would have. For Russia it's like having an inside man working for them who happens to be President.
8
Will we ever anything about Russia from the treasonous Mr. Trump? Treasonous in the everyday sense of that word--
As everybody knows, Mr. Mueller is getting closer and closer. Is this a last-chance desperate attempt by Trump's staff to finally do the right thing?
I wonder whether they are thinking about the 40 odd staff and associates of President Nixon, including lawyers, who spent time in federal prison.
After the Trump Republican tax-cut-for-the-rich law, it is rich for Mr. Mnuchin to begin with an assertion that Russia operates for the disproportionate benefit of the few.
Here is a hint for this untethered White House. Russian economic inequality is not the complaint we have with Russia right now. Think "our democracy" and "our democratic elections."
When all is said and done, sanctions that do not freeze assets or cut off access to the international banking system are not adequate.
24
"The sanctions are designed to penalize some of Russia’s richest industrialists, who are seen in the West as enriching themselves from Mr. Putin’s increasingly authoritarian administration."
And the Times see no irony at all in this statement?
What about those who control our increasingly unequal society and the authoritarian who is in charge?
9
And what will be the Trump Administration's policy including these new sanctions on Monday? The pattern is clear enough, a bold statement made one day is overruled the next, as with Trump's imminent withdrawal of troops from Syria earlier in the week. The list of other about-faces is as endless as Trump's daily lies, distortions and fabrications. The US is suffering a meltdown in global respect and is becoming an object of ridicule as the administration lurches from one grand pronouncement, a reversal and then silence. Today we face the threat of a trade war with China as Trump continues to practice The Art of the Bluff and allies watch in disbelief. Where are the adults in the halls of Congress?
6
Will these new sanctions make Russian oligarchs more, or less willing to answer questions from Mueller's investigators? Forgive the cynicism, but this is the Trump administration we're talking about.
3
“The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
The same could be said for other governments.
6
Trump must not have wanted any of this to happen. Given his connections to Russian oligarchs and their money, this may well harm the continuing Trump business model that operates from the White House. I am a little puzzled. The law required him to do it, but then the law requires the EPA to protect the environment, but the mission today is to destroy all protections for the monetary gain of Trump friends and allies. etc. Why couldn't Trump stop the execution of this law?
3
Please explain the mechanics of the sanctions. Are bank accounts frozen? Are properties confiscated?
8
Has Trump stopped watching Fox and switched to Game of Thrones---that is the only explanation for a foreign policy that is totally foreign to his advisors and for matter the US public.
“The US government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” like Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “US oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilizing activities.”
sounds exactly what Trump is doing
each and every policy Trump enacts or more so, cancels is to enrich his billionaire cabinet . From more private prisons, tax break for Corp's , and wealthy , to good old Rex T getting the offshore waters open to drilling, then out he goes to profit from the amazing work he just did for Exxon
a little off topic from the article but i couldn't help notice the similarities :)
5
Putin, meanwhile, leans back in amusement at the sitcom in the White House. He will come out of this unharmed, while this US president will not be re-elected. Why? Putin knows what he wants and learns from the events, while Trump..... seriously, will he ever learn?
Great. Now let’s tax the richest men in our country!
1
How long is Trump’s boss gonna put up with this?
4
Is someone by the initials D.J.T. on this list?
1
I don’t believe a word. Donald Trump would never deny Russian oligarchs access to U.S. banks or financial markets. There’s something else at work here that he’s not telling us.
“Fake news,” perhaps? What’s Sean Hannity over at the Foxhole got to say about this? And if this does turn out to be a rare truth coming from this administration, a cynic might wonder if Trump is stupid enough to snap his fingers in the Russian bear’s bloody maw when he must surely know that it has the goods on him.
4
And this comes on the heels of news that Mueller is interviewing some of the Oligarchs!!! surely these two stories are related. Trump is pressuring these guys to keep quiet.
4
Something isn't making sense. Leaving aside Trump's erratic behavior in general, the poisoning of the Skripals is beginning to look not what it seems.
We have learned since May formally accused the Russian government of orchestrating this that:
a) the lab in charge of analyzing the agent that poisoned the Skripals can't confirm it came from Russia.
b) the Skripals are recovering well and rapidly and there seems to be no permanent damage.
I thought this is supposed to be a nerve agent that is multiple times more potent than VX that does in fact cause permanent nerve damage.
So the narrative doesn't make sense.
The lack of critical reporting in this story (failing to mention these details for example) undermines the huge diplomatic response.
Here in Canada for example, we expelled 4 Russian diplomats for spreading "misinformation". What was that misinformation? They allegedly help spread the story that the grandfather of Canada's foreign minister was a Nazi collaborator. Here's the problem. It's true. He was a Ukrainian nationalist who was prepared to work with the Germans in their fight against the Soviet Army during WWII.
I am concerned when relations with other countries get more hostile to accommodate the political expediencies of the current party in power, whether it be Trump's China bashing to look tough on trade or May's need to ratchet up hostilities with Russians to distract from mess her government is presiding over vis a vis Brexit negotiations.
4
Sanctions ??? More like after school detention. With cake AND ice cream.
1
So much for the liberal claim that Putin is Trump's boss.
1
A page from the Clintons playbook: Triangulation
Perfect!
1
So, what are the sanctions, slaps on the wrists?
3
THAT'S GOOD NEWS! But the very idea of inviting Putin to America is objectionable. And the very fact that Trump congratulated Putin on his surely corrupt election win was absolutely obnoxious. We do not want to see the likes of that tyrant on our soil and can only believe that Trump and Putin have some sick corrupt friendship and that Putin puts pressure on Trump who is afraid of him.
Trump should resign or be impeached. He is perfectly despicable. The only reason he hasn't been is that the Republican Congress is also corrupt and thus complicit in his doings and that includes Ryan, McConnell, Nunes, Sessions and other "so-called" evil-minded Christians in the south.
3
About time! Of course this doesn't change the fact that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia to alter the 2016 election!
1
Will Eric Prince be sanctioned? He’s pretty cozy with these Russian oiligarchs.
Mr. Mueller has his hands full these days trying to connect the dots. He is our only hope to save our country.
47
Its about time!
5
Don’t be fooled by more of Trump’s smoke and mirrors. This “action” reminds me of James Mason’s line in North by Northwest: “It’s an old Gestapo trick. Shoot one of your own to show you’re not one of them. They’ve just freshened it up a bit with blank cartridges.” Don’t take the bait—click- or otherwise.
14
Why does this all somehow sound like another distraction?
Apparently Mr. Trump wants to deflect from the ongoing 'Porographic actress' story and the ongoing Robert Mueller investigation, which shows no signs of slowing down.
And of course all these Russian oligrarchs, including Mr. Putin himself, have more money than Croesus and know very well where and how to hide it.
So, there's no reason to think the United States Congress will consider legislation on this matter any faster than they do on anything else -- especially if they don't stand to personally gain from it.
115
The Trump admin hasn't even enforced the sanctions that already exist.This is just more pandering to the base with out any real action .As is, par for the course.Pun intended.
3
Trump, uncharacteristically, is not announcing or personally taking credit for this action. His suspicious silence on the subject continues.
1
Can the New York Times please describe the sanctions?
15
Keep going. Excise Putin and his cronies from the world economy entirely like the cancer that they are.
3
As Mueller gets closer the Trump administration will start to look more and more innocent of cooperating with the Russians to swing the election. Working for Putin is one thing, but Donald is going to have to save himself ultimately.
7
So Trump finally follows through on sanctions the same week he declares his intention to remove US forces from Syria, which would ultimately benefit Russia to the detriment of US allies. The timing seems quite interesting.
7
"Although Congress gave the State Department $120 million in 2016 to counter Russian hacking efforts, the department has so far spent none of it."
That shouldn't be a surprise given who the hackers were supporting. And now with the hollowing out of the State Department, do they have the staff to spend those funds effectively?
And of course in the bigger picture, as we follow the Russian oligarch bread crumbs we will be led to large real estate investments in luxury properties in NY and Florida. Hmmm.....
5
As with the Mueller investigation where the mantra is to "Follow the money," the best way of dealing with Vladimir Putin's kleptocracy is to "Freeze the money" the Russian oligarchs have stolen from their people. Let's hope that Britain and the European Union follow suit with similar sanctions. And, let's also hope that President Trump doesn't work to subvert the implementation of the sanctions.
4
Although my familiarity with the Cyrillic alphabet leaves much to be desired, many of the oligarchs I have read about who have leases in Trump Towers, have bought other Trump property and have had business relationships with Trump over the years are not included in this list. I'm pretty confident they get their marching orders from Putin; I'm pretty confident they have had their hands in the cookie jar of our election process and I'm pretty confident that their oodles of money have been laundered over the years in Manhattan and Florida real estate transactions.
3
Could you describe what these sanctions are? Do they freeze assets? Restrict travel? More specificity, please.
165
These days it's difficult not to jump to the most cynical conclusion when Donald Trump does just about anything, but this unexpected move makes me wonder: Are any of the targeted oligarchs were Trump's prospective business partners or creditors with whom he has fallen out? We know what happened to Qatar when it declined to help bail out Jared Kushner.
14
If we're really interested in messing with Russia on the worldwide stage, a fairly quick withdrawal from Syria would be a great move. Let Putin and the Iranians own the mess, not us.
So far, Putin has remained quite popular at home, largely because there have been few costs felt by the Russian people. A pointless, endless military quagmire could change that.
Anybody who thinks that an American withdrawal would produce a stable Iran-Russia-Hezbollah axis in its wake needs to read some more about the history of the area. NOBODY is going to build a stable anything of anything in that area. The historic ethnic and religious divides are far too strong. Our best course is to come home, make some popcorn, and just watch. It will be so refreshing to see a chaotic mess that for once we are not involved in.
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An entire article about new sanctions; yet, as far as I can see, not a word about the nature of those sanctions. What is changing, how much will it cost the targeted people?
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Follow the hyperlinks for more details.
Remember the old saying, " Can't see the forest for the trees". The same applies here. The world is one big chess game and our two main rivals are China and Russia, for different reasons. It is in our best interest to make sure that they are not united against our long term economic and foreign policy goals. We need Russia's cooperation for the Middle East and we have to fight back against China's attempt at world economic domination. This move will do nothing to help either.
The actual purpose, in tandem with preventing Russian resources and processed goods out of Western markets on the basis of some "criminal activity" is to drive the "free players" who have inserted themselves in the works of Western business back out without it being obvious that the rules of the Free Market are being distorted to hurt some players who have gamed too well since 2000.
Love the President's quick action on Sanctions approved by Congress in July of 2017. If the President was not in love/beholden to Russia maybe he would have acted sooner. However it continues to appear that President Trump's first concern is Russia and Mr. Putin and America is second. Hopefully the Republicans will wake up to the Russian Candidate and call him out
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I agree about more sanctions on Russia, but wouldn’t it also be helpful if the Congress would also sanction our plutocrats for using off shore havens for their endless riches. we should also sanction congress members or cabinet members who seem not to care that the money they use for their own desires are indeed our tax payments. The level of corruption in our politics looks more and more like Russia and the other growing authoritarian countries.
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And when will the administration start penalizing American oligarchs who are seen as enriching themselves from Trump's increasingly authoritarian administration?
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Nowhere in here is information on what the sanctions are and how they will truly impact the oligarchs.
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Would have been useful to describe just what these sanctions are so that the reader could judge how effective they are likely to be.
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"The Russian government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and government elites,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Sure, and I'm sure you and Mr. Carson and Mr. Pruitt and Mr. Kushner and Mr. Trump are *completely* above board. Not wasting taxpayer money on personal perks, passing bills that are predominantly self-serving or improperly mixing personal, private business interests and government power.
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Maybe it's my unwavering distrust of the GOP and the president's administration, but I believe there's a lot more between-the-lines here than meets-the-eye. Okay, so some sanctions against heavy targets are *finally* implemented after how many months of stalling. Are we supposed to applaud the president and now brush it off? I don't think so.
What did Russia accomplish or obtain during these past 15 months by having a complicit and compromised president of the United States looking the other way? Nuclear power and / or weapons contracts with the Middle East perhaps? Data harvesting malware on our communication and energy grids? Who knows at this point.
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The President is finally realizing that running the country is not quite like running the Trump Organization. Diplomacy is an art, you either have it or you dont. Now if only he would control his impulse on twitter. listen to people, read more, eat well and be empathetic, we will all be in safe hands.
Sanctions against 24 people, 2 months after a list of how many people was made in January.
Plenty of time for these 24 and the others on the list to make sure their money is protected.
All smoke and mirrors.
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Round up the usual suspects.
So, Trump admin. adds to sanctions, but the body of the article is, not surprisingly, about as anti-Trump as it can be. I suppose this will be followed by another op-ed about how Trump is in Putin's pocket, in case anyone missed the point.
I'd like us to be as hard-nosed with Russia as possible, emphasis on the "as possible." But, U.S./Russia relations have always been very complicated. Remember, Nixon was praised for going to Russia and China and meeting with Mao and Brezhnev, the first of whom was one of the world's greatest killers and the latter probably worse than Putin. We just sent two more astronauts to Russia's space station. Right now, Trump opponents like to forget that his predecessor - their president - tried to "reset," was very complimentary to Putin personally, promised his lieutenant he'd be more flexible after his election (not realizing he was being recorded), met with Putin just before Russia entered Syria and sought Russia's aid on a number of fronts, including trusting them as honest broker in the Iran nuclear deal.
Democracies having to deal with powerful autocrats is just part of modern life and I am not sure our schizophrenic way of doing it isn't the best method.
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I wonder what assets were moved back offshore or laundered, dried, ironed and hidden by the oligarchs before the sanctions were announced. Congress passed the veto-proof sanctions bill a long, long time ago. Trump was bound to have asked Putin for help. "Just give us a little time," Putin said (that's a guess, purely speculative, but....).
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We can all agree sanctions on oligarchs is a far more effective step forward than expelling diplomats.
However, the article is unclear on whether this is WH action forced by Congress, and to what degree. If it is action forced by Congress (i.e., sanctions were required by legislation), then why did it take the WH so long? Can you please more clearly explain the following sentence: "The new sanctions grow out of legislation passed by Congress overwhelmingly last year and designed to limit Mr. Trump’s ability to lift sanctions already imposed on Russia." What does "grow out of" mean, actually?
I ask because I'd like to know whether the WH is turning a corner with respect to Russia, or is this stuff Congresionally-imposed and Trump has no choice but to allow to occur.
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This is a rather poorly written article. Like you, I eagerly await more definition.
If I were betting, my money would be that congress had almost nothing to do with it. The NYT, like all MSM, has a clear anti-Trump bias. The media abhors the the very idea of giving Trump credit for anything.
Furthermore, the very idea of the spineless jellyfish, in this worthless congress, standing up to Trump, and forcing him to do much of anything is laughable.
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The most cogent comment on this article. Thank you.
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I see no reason to sanction Russia. The uproar with the UK is going to turn out to be a fraudulent effort by MAY to get support in the Brexit case. Anyone who trusts or believes MAY simply does NOT know the fact and her desperation to win a good deal for Brexit. We should not fall into her trap.
What are the sanctions? There is a difference between seizing all their properties on US soil and revoking their US visas, versus preventing them from buying new properties. I hope it is all of that. Still waiting to find out what the sanctions to decide whether this is a useful measure or not.
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Good question since this article never indicates what the sanctions are. Rather poorly written or poorly researched.
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Good point - I wondered if I was missing something when I couldn't see anywhere what the sanctions are - Odd reporting.
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andre, what sanctions have been imposed in canada? I haven't read anything about that nor seen anything on BBC or euronews about Canadian sanctions
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The American people are still waiting for President Trump to denounce the Russians and Putin, in public, to the entire world, for the Russian's attack on America.
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also still waiting for tax returns.
what is he hiding anyway ?
and why does base not care ? ?
non-plutocrat base is getting the shortest end of the stick.
how can they be so conned ?
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Attack on America? They baffled us with our own ignorance. Maybe those voters who fell for the social media manipulation shouldn't be anywhere near a polling place. It was the modern, electronic equivalent to the character Cliff on the old Cheers show. Just a lot of nonsense and hot air.
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America was attacked by Russia ? I definitely need to watch the news more often.
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Limiting the ability of the wealthy to hide behind legal fictions would be bad news for our oligarchs as well. Perhaps, in the same spirit, Congress might require Presidential candidates disclose their full tax returns; sitting Presidents, too, while they are at it.
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Indeed. Additionally, one could almost say that "targeted sanctions against [U.S.] oligarchs [would be] a particularly effective way to punish Mr. [Trump's] aggressive moves while sparing [U.S.] society, which is already suffering under [Trump's] thumb." Our oligarchs are a bit more fractious politically and not all unflinching cronies of our Leader, though.
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An FBI background check as a prerequisite for running might be a good idea as well.
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Indeed, we do have far more pressing problems to handle at home before we start concerning ourselves with how Russia and the rest of the world governs itself.
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"Lawmakers in both parties feared that the president would suspend sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama as he pursued warmer relations with Moscow as promised during his campaign and first year in office."
It's really weird when you have one government but two attitudes as the chief executive saying and (trying to do) one thing, and the rest of the administration--eg, our feckless Congress who seems to be gradually waking up from their Trumpian torpor, doing another.
It seems politically schizophrenic, and increasingly isolates the president on his stance regarding Vladimir Putin.
Some day we're going to know the ending to this story, but right I feel like I'm binge-watching a nonstop season of Homeland where at times, every hour seems to contain a full episode.
The problem with binge-watching though is that eventually you get so saturated that nothing penetrates and you just want to go for a hike in the woods for say, the next 20 years.
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When you go for that walk, can I go with you?
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"It seems politically schizophrenic, and increasingly isolates the president on his stance regarding Vladimir Putin."
Tha what they call the Deep State. They same "force" which made your country kill millions and millions of people during the last decades!
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To think that the Republicans are waking up is one step too far. These guys are still fearful of the WH Tweeter and of their extreme right wing contributors. They continue to say and do as little as possible to ruffle the WH feathers and/or their resentment filled voters. It’s a real tightrope act.
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Expelling diplomats is purely symbolic -- a bit like TWEETING IN ALL CAPS. It catches attention, but means almost nothing since expulsions do not target the individuals calling the shots in Russia. If anything, expelling diplomats makes progress more difficult by weakening channels of communication. Sanctions targeting those who both support the corrupt regime and profit from it are targeted at the source of the problem and are thus more likely to yield results by putting pressure on Putin where it hurts.
I am not convinced that these sanctions are a new Trump Administration initiative since they appear to be the same ones authorized by Congress a year ago, but implementing is a step in the right direction.
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There is also the not unimportant issue that the larger expulsion of Russian diplomats was more of an "out with the old, in with the new" instance. It is reportedly the case that Russia can bring 60 new diplomats in to replace those expelled. True, their consulate in Seattle was closed, but the overall numbers in the Russian delegation remain at prior levels.
Quiet accommodation of the Russians is this administration's MO when loudly punishing the same.
This causes me to pause before assuming that all is exactly as reported by the administration for these new sanctions.
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Not sure if you listen to 'Stay Tuned' with Preet Bharara but he had the past American Russian Ambassador, MacFaul on. The change in Putin's personality as he climbed the ladder is not positive for the Russian people—however much he will convince them.
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Not to those expelled-they are deprived of their luxurious American life.
Amazing. Congress finally had the sense to flex its legislative muscle and force Trump to actually do something constructive. It reminds me of the good old days when this government actually worked on behalf of the American people.
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Of course, no partisan hack would ever be able to admit that they agree with something Trump does, would they?
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Except I believe the idea that this was done "on behalf of the American" has a back story and ulterior motive.
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Unfortunately the 'list' of Russian Oligarchs to be targeted was drawn up many months ago. So in the meantime, they had every opportunity to move their assets.
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