US Ambassador urges Russia to evaluate the ‘Kremlin report’ objectively
US Ambassador to Russia John Huntsman called on Moscow to perceive the so-called "Kremlin report" based on its "real, not contrived meaning and without emotions." Relations between the two countries are far from being exhausted by this legal act, he told Interfax.
Huntsman reminded that six months ago, Congress voted to strengthen sanctions against Russia by a majority vote, so there will be no surprises on January 29. He added that this is the implementation of the results of the vote, which took place in August last year.
According to Huntsman, Congress decides how this report is made public: the list can be published or it may be left closed. He noted that he met with many important politicians and decision-makers and they are all very interested in continuing, working relations between the United States. "I have not met a single person who would like our relations to collapse."
Earlier, it was reported that on January 29, the White House should submit to the US Congress the so-called "Kremlin report," a list of businessmen close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, against which sanctions can be imposed. This is the requirement of the "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act" signed in the summer of 2017 by US President Donald Trump.
According to the Chairman of the Atlantic Council, Frederick Kemp, the list could include anywhere from 40 to 400 people. Russian newspaper Kommersant reported earlier, citing its sources, that the report may contain about 50 potential people in the report that, together with members of their families, can contain about 400 names.
US senators called on the State Department and the Treasury to pay attention to Russia's Prosecutor General, Yuri Chaika and businessman Alisher Usmanov when preparing a report on Russians with close ties to the Kremlin.