The U.S. Justice Department under President Donald Trump is ending efforts launched after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine to impose sanctions on Kremlin-linked oligarchs, Reuters reported, citing BTA.
A memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi, issued on Wednesday during a flurry of orders on her first day in office, said the work of the “KleptoCapture“ task force will end as the focus shifts to fighting drug cartels and international gangs.
“This policy requires a fundamental shift in thinking and approach“, Bondi wrote in the directive, adding that resources now dedicated to enforcing sanctions and seizing the assets of oligarchs would be redirected to countering cartels.
The effort, launched during the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden, aimed to strain the finances of wealthy associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin and punish those who facilitate sanctions evasion and export control violations.
It was part of a broader push to isolate Russia from global markets and enforce sweeping sanctions imposed on Moscow amid international condemnation of its war in Ukraine. The task force has indicted aluminum tycoon Oleg Deripaska and television tycoon Konstantin Malofeev for alleged sanctions violations and seized yachts belonging to sanctioned oligarchs Suleiman Kerimov and Viktor Vekselberg.
The prosecutors assigned to the task force will return to their previous positions. The changes will be in effect for at least 90 days and, according to the directive, can be renewed for a fixed term or permanently.
Trump has previously spoken several times about improving relations with Moscow. He has previously vowed to end the war in Ukraine, although he has not released a detailed plan.
The focus on drug cartels comes after Trump designated many such groups as terrorist organizations, part of his crackdown on illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking.