US Again Imposing Sanctions Against Russia, Targeting Kremlin Spokesperson And Conglomerate Alisher Usmanov

The White House, Washington DC, United States of America. (Wikimedia Commons/Matt H. Wade)

JAKARTA - The White House announced in a memo Thursday that the United States government, in coordination with Europe, has moved to impose sanctions on eight Russian conglomerates.

Not only that, but sanctions were also imposed on the families of these tycoons, and imposed visa restrictions for 19 other Russian citizens. And, the name of the Kremlin spokesman is also on the sanctions list this time.

"The United States and governments around the world will work to identify and freeze the assets of the Russian elite and their family members in our respective jurisdictions, their yachts, luxury apartments, money, and other illicit profits," the memo reads, as reported by Sputnik News, March 4th.

The full blocking sanctions, which prohibit the use of US-based property and block Americans from operating the property, were extended to individuals believed to 'activate' Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the memo.

Those named include Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov; Nikolai Tokarev, wife Galina, daughter Mayya, and two luxury real estate companies; Boris Rotenberg, wife of Karina, and son of Roman and Boris; Arkady Rotenberg, son of Pavel and Igor and daughter of Liliya.

There was also Sergei Chemezov, wife Yekaterina, son Stanislav, and stepdaughter Anastasiya; Igor Shuvalov, his five companies, wife Olga, son Evgeny and his company (and jets), and daughter Maria and company; Yevgeniy Prigozhin, his three companies, wife Polina, daughter Lyubov, and son Pavel; to Alisher Usmanov, as well as his private jet and superyacht, which has been detained by German authorities and is "one of the largest superyachts in the world".

The sentencing and confiscation of these 'illegal gains', comes days after US President Joe Biden touted the economic problems associated with Russia's sanctions, saying Washington was in the process of a coordinated campaign to 'strangle' Russia's access to technology, thereby weakening its military and the country's economy.

"We are joining our European allies in finding and seizing your yacht, your luxury apartment, your private jet. We have come for your bad [sic] advantage," President Biden said shortly after Washington blocked Russian flights from US airspace.

To note, an additional 19 Russian oligarchs and 47 family members or close associates, have been subject to new visa restrictions imposed by the US State Department. Their names were not included in the names that were read out.