Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska has dismissed the latest U.S. sanctions on a series of companies connected to a scheme to evade sanctions and unlock frozen shares as “nonsense.” In response to a Reuters request for comment, Deripaska stated that the sanctions were not worth his time, emphasizing the need to establish peace instead of serving the interests of warmongers. The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on Russian companies allegedly being used to disguise ownership of a $1.6 billion industrial stake controlled by Deripaska, leading Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International to drop a planned purchase following U.S. pressure.
The U.S. Treasury’s sanctions were part of an alleged “attempted sanctions evasion scheme” to unfreeze a stake using an “opaque and complex supposed divestment” strategy. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Deripaska has faced sanctions from various countries, including Britain, who identified his ties to Putin as a reason for their sanctions against him. Deripaska has challenged these sanctions in court, claiming they are based on false information and disregard basic principles of law and justice. In 2018, the United States imposed groundless sanctions on him and other influential Russians, according to Deripaska.
Deripaska, known for his investments in aluminum factories, has criticized the sanctions imposed on him by the U.S. as “ridiculous and absurd.” The latest round of sanctions stems from a larger pattern of sanctions imposed on Deripaska due to his alleged ties to Putin and involvement in various schemes. Despite the mounting pressure and legal challenges, Deripaska remains defiant and focused on his business interests, expressing frustration at the ongoing political games being played by politicians amidst a horrific war in Europe that claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International, which was planning to purchase the $1.6 billion industrial stake controlled by Deripaska, dropped the transaction in response to growing U.S. pressure to abandon the bid. The sanctions announced by the U.S. Treasury targeted a web of Russian companies involved in an alleged plan to disguise ownership and evade sanctions. Deripaska’s response to the sanctions reflects his belief in the importance of establishing peace and condemning actions that serve the interests of warmongers.
Deripaska’s dismissal of the latest U.S. sanctions as “balderdash” underscores his frustration with the ongoing political and economic challenges he faces as a result of his business dealings and alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite the sanctions and legal battles, Deripaska remains resolute in his efforts to defend his reputation and continue his business interests. The implications of the sanctions on his industrial stake and the broader impact on his investments and business operations remain uncertain, as Deripaska continues to navigate a complex and challenging landscape of geopolitical tensions and economic pressures.
