White House sends Congress list of Russia-connected entities it may sanction

WASHINGTON — Under pressure from Republicans and Democrats, the Trump administration on Thursday turned over to Congress a list of Russiaconnected entities it will use to determine new sanctions meant to rebuke Russia for actions in Eastern Europe, Syria and the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Administration officials made clear to lawmakers that they intended to impose sanctions on individuals in the United States and elsewhere who did “significant” business with the Russian entities, sending an early warning that such deals must soon end.

The list appeared to be an attempt to mollify critics — including Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Benjamin Cardin, D-Md. — who said that the administration had not moved quickly enough to punish a key American adversary, using legislation passed by Congress in July and signed by President Donald Trump in August. That legislation required that the administration produce the list of entities by Oct. 1.

Administration officials said the list was not itself an imposition of sanctions but rather the government’s assessment of organizations or persons “that are part of, or operating for or on behalf of, the defense or intelligence sectors of the government of the Russian Federation.”

Under the law, persons who “knowingly engage in a significant transaction” with these entities could be subjected to sanctions as soon as Jan. 29. Officials said they intended to work with individuals and the United States’ allies to help them avoid sanctionable activity.

Many of the Russian officials have previously been targeted by U.S. sanctions, said individuals familiar with the list given to Congress.

The list reads like a Who’s Who of the Russian defense and intelligence sectors. It includes the United Aircraft Corp., which makes Sukhoi jets and Tupolev passenger airliners; Kalashnikov Concern, which makes the famed assault weapon used around the world; and Rosoboronexport, the chief state-owned arms exporter in the country.

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