US likely to impose sanctions against at least half-dozen Russian oligarchs

Trump’s administration is expected to slap fresh sanctions on a number of Russians included in the so-called Kremlin List released by the Treasury Department in late January, the Washington Post wrote citing US officials.

"The sanctions are economic and designed to target oligarchs with ties to President Vladimir Putin, the officials said," according to the paper. 

"The final number of Russians facing punitive action remains fluid, the US officials said, but is expected to include at least a half-dozen people under sanction powers given to the president by Congress."

However, the Kremlin rejected the use of the term ‘oligarchs’ when referring to representatives of Russia’s big business elite.

"There are no oligarchs in Russia," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

When asked whether the Russian oligarchs informed President Vladimir Putin of the fact that US law enforcement agencies are taking a heightened interest in them, Peskov said, "I think the phrase "Russian oligarchs" is inappropriate." Instead, Peskov used the term "representatives of big business."

"I do not know about any information coming from representatives of large Russian businesses on this matter," the Kremlin spokesman said.

On Wednesday, CNN reported citing its own sources that Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating allegations into the so-called ‘Russiagate’ interference in the US presidential elections of 2016, took action against at least three Russian businessmen.

Source: Tass, RFE/RL