Trump administration disbands task force aimed at fighting Russian oligarchs - Media
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
Under President Donald Trump, the US Department of Justice is halting efforts that were initiated following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, aimed at enforcing sanctions and prosecuting oligarchs close to the Kremlin. A relevant memorandum was issued by the US Attorney General, according to The Guardian and Reuters.
On Wednesday, February 5, the US Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as the US Attorney General, who now leads the Department of Justice. In a memo issued during the wave of orders on her first day in office, but which had not been published previously, it was stated that efforts known as the KleptoCapture Task Force would be halted as part of a shift in focus and funding towards combating drug cartels and international gangs.
"This policy requires a fundamental change in mindset and approach," she wrote.
Bondi added that resources currently allocated to enforcing sanctions and seizing assets from oligarchs would be redirected to countering cartels.
The Guardian reminded that the efforts made during Joe Biden's administration were aimed at limiting the financial situation of wealthy allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin and punishing those who contributed to sanctions violations and breaches of export controls.
This was part of a broader effort to push Russia out of global markets and ensure the enforcement of large-scale sanctions imposed on Moscow amid international condemnation of its war in Ukraine.
According to the directive of the new US Attorney General, prosecutors assigned to the task force will return to their previous positions. The changes will be in effect for at least 90 days and may be extended or made permanent.
For more details on the new US Attorney General Pam Bondi, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
