Russia sanctions list revealed

39 government organizations, companies named

WASHINGTON - The State Department on Friday listed 39 Russian companies and government organizations tied to the defense and intelligence sectors, and warned that anyone in the United States or elsewhere doing significant business with them could be hit with sanctions starting early next year.

The list was a belated response to legislation, which President Donald Trump reluctantly signed in August, giving him until Oct. 1 to produce a roster of targets for new sanctions. Designed to punish Moscow for its actions in Ukraine and its interference in the 2016 U.S. election, the bill was seen at the time as a way of forcing Trump’s hand.

The bill, which had broad bipartisan support, included new sanctions on Iran and North Korea.

The Russia list was published Friday on the State Department website, along with guidance for those who might be affected. The roster of targeted companies and agencies could have broad ramifications for U.S. and foreign entities who deal with them.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller III is investigating whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential race.

Lawmakers from both parties offered tentative praise for the announcement, calling it a step in the right direction toward implementing the legislation.

In addition to Russia’s official intelligence and defense apparatus, the bill directed consideration of sanctions for parts of the country’s energy, mining, railway and shipping sectors. There were also provisions to sanction entities accused of corruption and human rights abuses.

Those that engage in “significant” transactions with the designated entities could face sanctions beginning Jan. 29.

A State Department official said in a background call with reporters Friday that “smaller-scale things” would probably not be met with sanctions and that the United States would take into account the circumstances of each transaction, such as whether it was meant to benefit an ally’s military capabilities.

“I would just reiterate that we’re going to look at all the circumstances for transactions that come up in the press or that we’re made aware of by other means,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the State Department.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the action “echoes of unfriendly signs, or more precisely, hostility against our country.”