Trump admin to lift sanctions on firms owned by Russian oligarch Deripaska

[babylonsister]

https://thehill.com/regulation/national-security/422122-trump-admin-to-lift-sanctions-on-firms-owned-by-russian-oligarch?fbclid=IwAR2hStHbSd0aVHLFEzPJPbdcaFyFlNZler1IBMhmqKNTZ0AHCGRbgZZ38sA

Trump admin to lift sanctions on firms owned by Russian oligarch Deripaska
By Morgan Chalfant - 12/19/18 02:52 PM EST


The Trump administration plans to lift sanctions on companies owned by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska after he significantly reduced his ownership stake in them.

The Treasury Department announced Wednesday that it would lift financial sanctions on Deripaska’s aluminum company, United Co. Rusal, as well as En+ Group plc and JSC EuroSibEnergo in 30 days after Deripaska agreed to reduce his ownership in the each of the companies to below 50 percent.

Deripaska, a billionaire aluminum magnate with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, will remain sanctioned and his property blocked.

“Treasury sanctioned these companies because of their ownership and control by sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, not for the conduct of the companies themselves,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

“These companies have committed to significantly diminish Deripaska’s ownership and sever his control. The companies will be subject to ongoing compliance and will face severe consequences if they fail to comply,” he continued.

The sanctions on Deripaska and his companies were imposed in April under a law passed by Congress to punish Russia for interfering in the 2016 presidential election, in addition to other malign activities.

The sanctions will be lifted in 30 days, according to Treasury, but Congress could still block the move.

The Trump administration separately on Wednesday unveiled new sanctions on Russian intelligence officers for election interference and the nerve agent attack on an ex-Russian spy in Britain.

[rurallib]

1. I am not as well versed on all the details as many here are, but

this looks to me like putting a spotlight on El Trumpy and his ongoing nearly inexhaustible effort to lift Russian sanctions - which seems to be one of the expectations of his alleged deal with Putin.

Like the kid in class who stands up and hollers and points to himself all the time.

[allgood33]

2. Well, this is the payoff in our faces. Quid pro quo...EVIDENCE!

[HipChick]

3. "Congress could still block the move.."

Waiting on the outrage...crickets so far

[babylonsister]

4. This just happened. I'd give them an hour or two, no? nt

[0rganism]

5. another item off the checklist

_✔_ Alienate former allies, void trade agreements
_✔_ Jack up US national debt with excessive taxcuts and profligate superfluous military spending
_✔_ Establish arbitrary insane trade tariffs with manufacturing superpowers
_✔_ Withdraw US forces from Syria
_✔_ Lift sanctions on select Russian Oligarchs
___ Allow Russian annexation of eastern Ukraine
___ Permanently damage American economy
___ Do nothing about climate change
___ ???
___ Profit!

[NotAPuppet]

6. This makes me think

that The Donald knows his days are numbered and he’s tying up loose ends before his departure.