Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a televised call-in show with the nation in Moscow, Thursday, April 17, 2014.
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MANILA, Philippines – The White House says the United States is sanctioning seven Russian government officials and 17 companies with links to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.
READ MORE: Mayor of eastern Ukraine city shot in back amid separatist unrestThe White House says the penalties are being levied because Russia has failed to live up to commitments it agreed to under an international accord aimed at deescalating the crisis in Ukraine. And the White House says it is prepared to “impose still greater costs” if Russia continues its provocations in Ukraine.
“Russia’s dangerous and inflammatory actions against Ukraine are illegal and illegitimate,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew in a statement. “…Our goal continues to be for Russia to deescalate the situation so that additional sanctions are not needed. However, we are resolved to continue to work with our international partners and take the steps required, including action against individuals and entities in specific sectors, if Russia continues to press forward.”
In addition to the sanctions, the U.S. is revoking export licenses for high-technology items that it says could contribute to Russia’s military capabilities.
The White House announced the sanctions while President Barack Obama is travelling in Asia.
Here is a list of individuals that are being designated because they are officials of the Russian government (courtesy of the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Public Affairs):
Oleg Belavantsev was appointed Russia’s Presidential Envoy to Crimea on March 21, 2014, by President Putin.
Sergei Chemezov was appointed by a presidential decree on November 26, 2007 as the Director General of the State Corporation for Promoting Development, Manufacturing and Export of Russian Technologies High-Tech Industrial Products, also known as Rostec. Rostec is a Russian state-owned holding company and has not been sanctioned. Chemezov is a trusted ally of President Putin, whom he has known since the 1980s when they lived in the same apartment complex in East Germany. Sergei Chemezov was one of the Russian Government’s nominees for the Board of Directors of Rosneft, a Russian state-owned oil company. He was selected for the Rosneft Board on June 20, 2013.
Dmitry Kozak is a Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, a position that he has held since October 2008, and to which he was reappointed by presidential decree in May 2012. Kozak has served in a number of capacities in the Russian Federation since 1999, including as Chief of the Government Staff and Minister of Regional Development.
Evgeniy Murov is the Director of Russia’s Federal Protective Service and an Army General. Murov has worked in Russian state security services since 1971 and became Head and Director of the Federal Protective Service in May 2000.
Aleksei Pushkov has been a Deputy of the State Duma since December 4, 2011. He is also the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs.
Igor Sechin is the President and Chairman of the Management Board for Rosneft, Russia’s leading petroleum company, and one of the world’s largest publicly-traded oil companies. Rosneft is a state-owned company and has not been sanctioned. Sechin was formerly the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation from 2008 until 2012. Additionally, from 2004 until 2008, Sechin was the Deputy Chief of Staff for President Putin. Sechin has shown utter loyalty to Vladimir Putin – a key component to his current standing.
Vyacheslav Volodin is the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to move into Crimea is believed to have been based on consultations with his closest advisors, including Volodin.
Entities
The following entities are being designated because they are owned or controlled by persons (either individuals or entities) whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13661.
InvestCapitalBank and SMP Bank are controlled by Arkady and Boris Rotenberg who were designated on March 20, 2014 pursuant to E.O. 13661 for acting for or on behalf of or materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, a senior official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Stroygazmontazh (SGM Group) is a gas pipeline construction company owned or controlled by Arkady Rotenberg. Rotenberg created SGM Group in 2008 after acquiring multiple Gazprom contractors.
The Volga Group is being designated for being owned or controlled by Gennaddy Timchenko. Timchenko was designated on March 20, 2014 pursuant to E.O. 13661 for acting for or on behalf of or materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, a senior official of the Government of the Russian Federation. Timchenko is the sole shareholder of the Volga Group, an investment strategy group that holds interest in a variety of assets on behalf of Timchenko.
Transoil is a Russia-based rail freight operator that specializes in the transportation of oil and oil products. Transoil is designated for being owned or controlled by the Volga Group and Timchenko.
Aquanika (Russkoye Vremya LLC) is a Russia-based mineral water and soft drink company. Aquanika is being designated because it is owned or controlled by the Volga Group and Timchenko. Aquanika produces drinks under several trade names including Aquanika.
Sakhatrans LLC is a transportation company engaged in the construction of the bulk terminal for coal and iron ore exports in Muchka Bay near Vanino in Russia’s far east. Sakhatrans LLC is designated for being owned or controlled by the Volga Group and Timchenko.
Avia Group LLC is involved in ground infrastructure for the Business Aviation Center at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow offering aircraft maintenance services, including aircraft storage and organization support services for flight operations. Avia Group LLC is designated for being owned or controlled by the Volga Group and Timchenko.
Avia Group Nord LLC provides management services for corporate aviation at Pulkovo International Airport in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Avia Group Nord LLC is designated for being owned or controlled by the Volga Group and Timchenko.
Stroytransgaz Holding is a holding company for construction assets. Stroytransgaz Holding is designated for being owned or controlled by the Volga Group and Timchenko.
Stroytransgaz Group is a Russian construction group, comprising a number of business entities that specialize in different aspects of the construction industry. Stroytransgaz Group is designated for being owned or controlled by the Volga Group and Timchenko.
Stroytransgaz OJSC is an electricity construction company. Stroytransgaz OJSC is designated for being owned or controlled by the Stroytransgaz Group, the Volga Group, and Timchenko.
Stroytransgaz-M LLC is an industrial construction company focused on oil, gas, petrochemical, and other civil engineering projects. Stroytransgaz-M LLC is designated for being owned or controlled by the Stroytransgaz Group, the Volga Group, and Timchenko.
Stroytransgaz LLC is an infrastructure construction company. Stroytransgaz LLC is designated for being owned or controlled by the Stroytransgaz Group, the Volga Group, and Timchenko.
The Limited Liability Company Investment Company Abros is owned or controlled by Bank Rossiya. Bank Rossiya was designated on March 20, 2014 pursuant to E.O. 13661 for acting for or on behalf of or materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, a senior official of the Government of the Russian Federation. Bank Rossiya was also designated for being owned or controlled by Yuri Kovalchuk, who was designated on March 20, 2014 pursuant to E.O. 13661.
CJSC Zest is being designated for being owned or controlled by Bank Rossiya.
JSB Sobinbank is being designated for being owned or controlled by Bank Rossiya.
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