Trump lifts sanctions on Russia's Rosoboronexport and banks amid Syria decision
The Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria was overthrown at the end of 2024 (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump, while lifting sanctions against Syria, "accidentally" removed certain Russian institutions, banks, and individuals from the sanctions list. Among them was Rosoboronexport, the state agency responsible for exporting Russian weapons to other countries, according to The Moscow Times.
Among those removed from US sanctions was Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, former president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and ex-head of Kalmykia, a federal subject of Russia. In 2015, Ilyumzhinov was sanctioned for supporting the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and his assets in the US were frozen.
In addition to Ilyumzhinov, the US "accidentally" delisted the following entities:
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Russian Financial Alliance Bank, owned by Ilyumzhinov;
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Tempbank (whose license was revoked in Russia in 2017);
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Mir Business Bank, a Russian legal entity affiliated with sanctioned Iranian Bank Melli Iran;
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Russian Financial Corporation (RFK) Bank, a Russian state-owned bank;
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Promsyreimport, a federal state enterprise;
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Global Concepts Group, a company linked to Russia;
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STG Logistic, a company linked to Russia;
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Global Vision Group, another Russia-linked company;
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Maritime Assistance, also connected to Russia;
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Rosoboronexport, the state agency responsible for importing and exporting Russian arms.
According to the report, Ilyumzhinov has already expressed his willingness to meet with Trump, thank him, and play a game of chess. The article also notes Ilyumzhinov's eccentric reputation — back in 1997, he claimed to have been abducted by aliens. Nevertheless, this did not prevent him from becoming a businessman, the head of Kalmykia, and president of FIDE.
Lifting of sanctions on Syria: What is known
On June 30, President Trump signed an executive order lifting US sanctions against Syria that had been in place since 2004. At the same time, the White House stated that sanctions would reportedly remain in effect against:
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Bashar al-Assad and his associates;
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Human rights violators;
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Syrian and international drug traffickers;
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Individuals involved in chemical weapons development;
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Persons linked to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or its affiliates;
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Iranian proxies operating in Syria.
The decision was welcomed in Syria. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani stated that Washington's move would support the recovery and development of the country, which has begun to emerge from years of civil war.
