Finally a nice sunny late spring day. Did a little wash of clothes and hung them out on the balcony. Yes sir I have a balcony with a view of the city. A low budget Ritz-Carlton! Went out to purchase my supplies for breakfast and I ate like an aristocrat on my balcony. I did find milk but it wasn’t that good. I walked around Budapest for at least 4 hours and the more I see the more I like it. It reminds be of a crumbling Vienna. I stopped for an orange drink in a café and it was 50 cents. The cost of living here is about half of Vienna’s. The pollution is bad here with thick smog. I took the subway close to home which was a railway station and walked 10 minutes from there. I had a hot shower for 50 cents. I had a bottle of peas for a snack and read for a bit. Opened a beer and sat on my balcony watching life below. I walked to the self service nearby and had some sort of meat with Hungarian dumplings which are very tasty! The cutlery was the cheapest I have seen and you place your dishes on a flimsy aluminum tray. I wanted to go see a movie called “Sleuth” with Michael Caine but it had been dubbed in Hungarian so I decided not to see it. Home at 8:30 and off to bed after reading for an hour.
RKS Wine: Valle de Uco Site of The Best Argentinian Malbec?
I recall when living in Montreal at the corner depanneur you could buy a gallon of a red wine called “Malbec” bottled by the SAQ. Goodness knows if it was even made from Malbec grapes and what country it came from. Those corner store wines were never very good.
Of course, such could not exist today? Most of the world’s Malbec is produced in Argentina although some still is grown in France and some say the best Argentinian is from Valle de Uco made up of three well known wine districts Tupungato, Tunuyán and San Carlos.
Zuccardi is a well-known producer. The grapes for this wine are grown at altitudes equal to or exceeding 3,600 feet. The altitude should substantially cool down the grapes at night ensuring no flabbiness.
In colour expect a purplish wine. As soon as you open the bottle you know it must have a powerful nose! Dense notes of blueberry, black cherry and boysenberry and assorted black fruit. A true sense of plush and lush. On the palate there is enough acidity to corral the exuberant fruit. There is most definitely a raging backdraft of blueberry pie and blackberry jam. The tannins sneak up on you but they are not excessive. There is a purity of fruit perhaps because 70% was aged in concrete and only 30% in oak. I may be wrong but lately there seems a slow drift away from oak towards stainless streel and concrete. Aside from a classic match of grilled flank steak with chimichurri sauce vegetarians might think of pairing with a zucchini and carrot julienne thrown into a pan with onion, garlic, mushroom stock and thyme served over bucatini.
The wine may settle down and improve over the next two years.
(Zuccardi Q Malbec de Uco-Mendoza 2020, Familia Zuccardi, Mendoza, Argentina, $20.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 723748, 14%, 750 mL, RKS Wine Rating 90/100).
“Travels to a Different Time” : 28May1975: Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary to the Land of Goulash and of Revolution Against the Soviet Empire!
Up bright eyed and bushy tailed and on the road at 07:30. My knapsack is bursting. Two trams took me close to the highway so I had a half a kilometre walk. Getting rid of my last Austrian coins a beer at 09:00. I really lucked in with a businessman going all the way to Budapest in a big BMV. Pleasant countryside similar to Romania. Through the border in 20 minutes. A very beautiful city although far from the grandeur of Vienna. Buda is one side of the river and Pest on the other. I ended up finding a room for $4.50 in an old bourgeois mansion. The communist booted out the owners and converted it into housing for multiple families. It is a beautiful old district here! I have a spectacular view of the city below. There was even a hot water shower. I went to a store called Elelmzer for a big salami sandwich which I ate in a nearby park. The prices for food seem very low like Romania as I look at the menu of a nearby restaurant where the most expensive dish was $1.25. I was no fan of Serbian Goulash hopefully Hungarian is better. After my lunch I walked around for a few hours giving some thought to the bravery of the Hungarians in the 1956 revolution against the Russians. I bought some bread and sliced meat for a dinner with a can of beer. Out like a light at 20:00.
Russia Suspended from United Nations Human Rights Council (7 April 2022)
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Thursday calling for Russia to be suspended from the Human Rights Council.
The resolution received a two-thirds majority of those voting, minus abstentions, in the 193-member Assembly, with 93 nations voting in favour and 24 against.
Fifty-eight abstained from the process.
Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Vietnam, were among those who voted against.
Those abstaining, included India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.
The meeting marked the resumption of a special emergency session on the war in Ukraine and followed reports of violations committed by Russian forces.
This past weekend, disturbing photos emerged from the city of Bucha, a suburb of the capital, Kyiv, where hundreds of civilian bodies were found in the streets and in mass graves following Russia’s withdrawal from the area.
Prior to the vote, Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya urged countries to support the resolution.
“Bucha and dozens of other Ukrainian cities and villages, where thousands of peaceful residents have been killed, tortured, raped, abducted and robbed by the Russian Army, serve as an example of how dramatically far the Russian Federation has gone from its initial declarations in the human rights domain. That is why this case is unique and today’s response is obvious and self-explanatory,” he said.
This is not the first time that a Member State has had its membership of the Human Rights Council suspended. Libya lost its seat in 2011, following repression of protests by ruler Muammar Gaddafi, who was later overthrown.
Gennady Kuzmin, Deputy Russian ambassador, in remarks before the vote, called for countries to “vote against the attempt by Western countries and their allies to destroy the existing human rights architecture.”
Parallels with Rwanda
The vote took place on the anniversary of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, and the Ukrainian ambassador drew parallels with this dark page in recent history.
“The genocide in Rwanda was largely due to the indifference of the world’s community, when the UN did not respond to warnings in the UN Security Council and in the General Assembly, a year before the tragedy that we commemorate exactly on this day,” said Mr. Kyslytsya.
“Today, in the case of Ukraine, it is not even a year, because the tragedy is unfolding right now before our eyes.”
UN Photo/Manuel Elías
Sergiy Kyslytsya, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, presents the draft resolution during the 10th plenary meeting of the General Assembly Eleventh Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.
Grounds for suspension
The UN Human Rights Council consists of 47 members and is based in Geneva.
Russia joined the body in January 2021 as one of 15 countries elected by the General Assembly to serve three-year terms.
Under the 2006 resolution that established the Council, the General Assembly can suspend a country from membership if it commits gross and systematic violations of human rights.
Russia quits Council
Speaking after the adoption of the resolution, Deputy Permanent Representative Kuzmin, suddenly stated that Russia had already decided that day, to leave the Council before the end of its term.
He claimed the Council was monopolized by a group of States who use it for their short-term aims.
“These States for many years have directly been involved in blatant and massive violations of human rights, or abetted those violations,” he said, speaking through an interpreter.
“In spite of their membership as members of the Council, they are not ready to sacrifice their short-term political and economic interests in favour of true cooperation and stabilizing the human rights situation in certain countries.”
UN Photo/Manuel Elías
The General Assembly Votes to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council. Pictured at the end of the row on the right, is Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia, Gennady Kuzmin.
‘Dangerous precedent’: China
China was among the countries that voted against the resolution. Ambassador ZHANG Jun, feared any hasty move in the General Assembly would be like “adding fuel to the fire”, as it would aggravate divisions, intensify the conflict, and jeopardize peace efforts.
“Dealing with the membership of the Human Rights Council in such a way will set new dangerous precedent, further intensify confrontation in the field of human rights, bringing a greater impact on the UN governance system, and produce serious consequences,” he said.
EU commends ‘rare decision’
For the European Union (EU), the scale and gravity of Russia’s violations in Ukraine, and of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, call for a strong, united international response.
“The rare decision this Assembly has taken today sends a strong signal of accountability and hopefully will help preventing and discouraging more violations of human rights,” said Ambassador Olaf Skoog, head of the EU delegation.
A step in the right direction: USA
The United States was the last country to speak during the day-long meeting.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield described the adoption of the resolution as “an important and historic moment”. It was not only about accountability for Russia, she said, but also about standing with the people of Ukraine.
“Today, the international community took one collective step in the right direction. We ensured a persistent and egregious human rights violator will not be allowed to occupy a position of leadership on human rights at the UN,” said Ms. Thomas-Greenfield.
“Let us continue to hold Russia accountable for this unprovoked, unjust, unconscionable war –and to do everything in our power to stand with the people of Ukraine.”
United States Prohibiting New Investment in and Certain Services to the Russian Federation in Response to Continued Russian Federation Aggression
APRIL 06, 2022•PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,
I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, in order to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021, expanded by Executive Order 14066 of March 8, 2022, and relied on for additional steps taken in Executive Order 14039 of August 20, 2021, and Executive Order 14068 of March 11, 2022, hereby order:
Section 1. (a) The following are prohibited:
(i) new investment in the Russian Federation by a United States person, wherever located;
(ii) the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of any category of services as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to any person located in the Russian Federation; and
(iii) any approval, financing, facilitation, or guarantee by a United States person, wherever located, of a transaction by a foreign person where the transaction by that foreign person would be prohibited by this section if performed by a United States person or within the United States.
(b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or license or permit granted prior to the date of this order.
Sec. 2. (a) Any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
Sec. 3. Nothing in this order shall prohibit transactions for the conduct of the official business of the Federal Government or the United Nations (including its specialized agencies, programs, funds, and related organizations) by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof.
Sec. 4. For the purposes of this order:
(a) the term “entity” means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization;
(b) the term “person” means an individual or entity; and
(c) the term “United States person” means any United States citizen, lawful permanent resident, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States.
Sec. 5. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of the Treasury. All executive departments and agencies of the United States shall take all appropriate measures within their authority to implement this order.
Sec. 6. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 6, 2022.
United States Ramps up Sanctions Against Rogue Russia for it Atrocities
PRESS RELEASES
U.S. Treasury Escalates Sanctions on Russia for Its Atrocities in Ukraine
April 6, 2022
Treasury Targets Critical Arteries of the Russian Federation Economy, Fully Blocking Largest Public and Private Banks
New Sanctions Imposed on Putin’s Family and Architects of War
President’s New Executive Order To Ban New Investment in Russia
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took major steps to degrade the economy of the Russian Federation in response to Russia’s continued brutal war against Ukraine and atrocities against Ukrainian citizens. Treasury is imposing full blocking sanctions on Sberbank, Russia’s largest state-owned bank, and Alfa-Bank, Russia’s largest private bank. Treasury is also targeting family members of President Vladimir Putin (Putin) and Foreign Minster Sergey Lavrov (Lavrov), as well as Russian Security Council members who are complicit in the war against Ukraine. In addition, the President is issuing a new Executive Order today, which bans new investment in the Russian Federation and the provision of certain services to any person located in the Russian Federation by U.S. persons, wherever located.
“Russia’s military forces have committed heinous atrocities in Ukraine and the global community must hold them to account,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. “Today we are taking additional steps to cut off Russia from international markets in response to Putin’s continued brutality. This serious action, including fully blocking Russia’s largest bank and banning new investment in Russia, will further restrict Putin’s ability to fund and supply his war.”
Today’s designations are taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, which authorizes sanctions against Russia for its harmful foreign activities, including violating core principles of international law, such as respect for the territorial integrity of other states. OFAC’s actions complement the ongoing efforts of international allies and partners to hold accountable all those responsible for furthering this unconscionable war of choice against Ukraine and its people.
SBERBANK AND 42 SBERBANK SUBSIDIARIES
Today, Treasury is fully blocking Public Joint Stock Company Sberbank of Russia (Sberbank), which is uniquely important to the Russian Federation economy, holding about a third of all bank assets in Russia. Sberbank is the largest financial institution in Russia and is majority-owned by the Government of the Russian Federation (GoR). It holds the largest market share of savings deposits in the country, is the main creditor of the Russian economy, and is deemed by the GoR to be a systemically important financial institution. On February 24, 2022, OFAC identified Sberbank as subject to prohibitions pursuant to Directive 2 under E.O. 14024, “Prohibitions Related to Correspondent or Payable-Through Accounts and Processing of Transactions Involving Certain Foreign Financial Institutions” (the “Russia-related CAPTA Directive”) and the Russia-related Entities Directive for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy, thereby expanding the sanctions that were imposed on Sberbank pursuant to E.O. 13662 in September 2014. Today, OFAC is expanding previous sanctions by designating Sberbank pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy.
In addition, pursuant to E.O. 14024, Treasury is designating the following 42 Sberbank subsidiaries for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Sberbank, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024.
- Subsidiary Bank Sberbank of Russia Joint Stock Company is a bank located in Kazakhstan.
- Joint Stock Company Sberbank is a bank located in Ukraine.
- Open Joint Stock Company BPS-Sberbank is a bank located Belarus.
- Auction Limited Liability Company is an entity engaged in financial transactions in Russia.
- IKS Joint Stock Company is a real estate, security brokering, fund management, depository credit intermediation, as well as other activities auxiliary to financial intermediation, company located in Russia.
- Joint Stock Company Sberbank Leasing is a bank located in Russia.
- Sovremennye Tekhnologii Limited Liability Company is entity engaged in real estate activities in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Sberbank Capital is a mutual and pension fund or trust located in Russia.
- Joint Stock Company Sberbank Automated Trade System is a vendor of financial securities on electronic trading platforms located in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Promising Investments is a financial company located in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Sberbank Financial Company is a financial company located in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Sberbank Investments is a financial company located in Russia.
- Joint Stock Company Sberbank Technologies is an entity engaged in system integration, automation, business processes, and information technology consulting in Russia.
- Joint Stock Company Loyalty Programs Center is an entity engaged in loyalty program administration for Sberbank in Russia.
- Sberbank Europe AG is a bank located in Austria.
- Insurance Company Sberbank Life Insurance Limited Liability Company is an insurance company located in Russia.
- Joint Stock Company Business Environment is an entity engaged in data processing, hosting, and related activities in Russia.
- SB Securities SA is a mutual and pension fund or trust located in Luxembourg.
- Limited Liability Company Active Business Consult is a debt recovery agency providing collection and adjustment services in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Sberbank Service is an entity engaged in the provision of computer and office machine repair and maintenance services in Russia.
- Joint Stock Company Sberbank Private Pension Fund is a mutual and pension fund or trust located in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Sberbank Insurance Broker is a financial and insurance company located in Russia.
- Insurance Company Sberbank Insurance Limited Liability Company is an insurance company located in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Korus Consulting CIS is an entity engaged in information technology consulting services in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Sberbank CIB Holding is a financial company located in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Sberbank Factoring is a financial company located in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Rutarget is a web-based automated advertising software developer in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Sberbank Real Estate Center is an entity engaged in software development for Sberbank’s real estate and mortgage services in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Digital Technologies is a provider of business management services in Russia.
- Joint Stock Company Raschetniye Resheniya is a bank located in Russia.
- Vydayushchiesya Kredity Microcredit Company Limited Liability Company is a financial and insurance company in Russia.
- Tekhnologii Kreditovaniya Limited Liability Company is an Internet-based financial activities company located in Russia.
- Sber Legal Limited Liability Company is an entity engaged in provision of legal services in Russia.
- Arimero Holding Limited is a financial, insurance, and holding company located in Cyprus.
- Barus Limited Liability Company is an entity engaged in real estate activities in Russia.
- Setelem Bank Limited Liability Company is a bank located in Russia.
- Joint Stock Company Strategy Partners Group is an entity engaged in management and financial consulting services in Russia.
- Sber Vostok Limited Liability Partnership is an entity engaged in retail and wholesale trade in Kazakhstan.
- Limited Liability Company Yoomoney is a bank located in Russia.
- Bankruptcy Technology Center Limited Liability Company is an entity engaged in information technology-related activities in Russia.
- Limited Liability Company Market Fund Administration is a mutual and pension fund or trust located in Russia.
- Joint Stock Company United Credit Bureau is a credit history bureau operating in Russia.
All entities owned 50 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by Sberbank are blocked under E.O. 14024, even if not designated by OFAC.
JOINT STOCK COMPANY ALFA-BANK, SIX SUBSIDIARIES, AND FIVE VESSELS
OFAC is imposing full blocking restrictions on Joint Stock Company Alfa-Bank (Alfa-Bank), Russia’s largest privately owned financial institution and Russia’s fourth-largest financial institution overall. On February 24, 2022, OFAC identified Alfa-Bank as subject to prohibitions pursuant to Directive 3 under E.O. 14024, “Prohibitions Related to New Debt and Equity of Certain Russia-related Entities” (the “Russia-related Entities Directive”) for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy. Today, OFAC is expanding previous sanctions by designating Alfa-Bank pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy.
In addition, OFAC is designating six Alfa-Bank subsidiaries pursuant to E.O. 14024 for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Alfa-Bank. These subsidiaries provide a variety of financial services:
- Alfa Capital Markets LTD (Cyprus)
- Alfa-Direct (Russia)
- Alfa-Forex LLC (Russia)
- Alfa-Lizing OOO (Russia)
- Amsterdam Trade Bank NV (the Netherlands)
- Subsidiary Bank Alfa-Bank JSC (Kazakhstan)
OFAC is also identifying five vessels owned by Alfa-Lizing OOO as blocked property: products tanker Lady Leila (IMO 9683740), chemical/oil tanker Lady Rania (IMO 9784893), products tanker Lady Sevda (IMO 9683738), general cargo vessel Sv Konstantin (IMO 9203710), and general cargo vessel Sv Nikolay (IMO 9482926).
All entities owned 50 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by Alfa-Bank are subject to blocking under E.O. 14024, even if not designated by OFAC.
Joint Stock Company Alfa-Bank is a distinct entity from Alfa-Bank (Ukraine), which has not been sanctioned.
FAMILY SUPPORTING THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER
Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova (Tikhonova) and Maria Vladimirovna Vorontsova (Vorontsova) are daughters of Russian President Putin. Tikhonova is a tech executive whose work supports the GoR and defense industry. Vorontsova leads state-funded programs that have received billions of dollars from the Kremlin toward genetics research and are personally overseen by Putin. Tikhonova and Vorontsova are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for being the adult children of Putin, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024.
Maria Aleksandrovna Lavrova (Lavrova) is Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s (Lavrov) wife. Yekaterina Sergeyevna Vinokurova (Vinokurova) is Lavrov’s daughter. Lavrova and Vinokurova are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for being the spouse or adult child of Lavrov, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024.
RUSSIAN SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND PUTIN FACILITATORS
The Security Council of the Russian Federation, chaired by President Putin and composed of members he appoints, is a key national security body in Russia that determines and executes Russia’s foreign policy, including its unprovoked war of choice against Ukraine. Pursuant to E.O. 14024, the United States has sanctioned a number of members of Russia’s Security Council since Russia began its further invasion of Ukraine in late February, including Putin, Lavrov, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov, Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology, and Transport Sergei Ivanov, Federation Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev, National Guard commander-in-chief Viktor Zolotov, and State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Volodin, all for being or having been leaders, officials, senior executive officers, or members of the board of directors of the GoR.
Today, OFAC is designating the remaining members of Russia’s Security Council, including former President and Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. Many of these individuals have also been sanctioned by our international partners, including Canada, the European Union (EU), Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom (UK). Each of these following individuals is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of the GoR.
Aleksandr Dmitrievich Beglov (Beglov) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and Governor of Saint Petersburg. Beglov’s gubernatorial election was marred by accusations of voter fraud and intimidation, and he is known to have ties to sanctioned Russian elites Yevgeniy Prigozhin and Yuri Kovalchuk. Beglov has also been sanctioned by Canada and the UK.
Vladimir Ivanovich Bulavin (Bulavin) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and head of the Russia’s Federal Customs Service. A veteran of the Soviet-era Committee for State Security, Bulavin was previously Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). Bulavin has also been sanctioned by Canada and the UK.
Yuriy Yakovlevich Chayka (Yuriy Chayka) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District. His sanctioned son Artem Yuryevich Chayka has leveraged his father’s positions to unfairly win contracts and put pressure on business competitors. Yuriy Chayka has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
Konstantin Anatolyevich Chuychenko (Chuychenko) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and Russia’s Minister of Justice. Chuychenko, a close friend of Dmitry Anatolievich Medvedev, was previously a Deputy Prime Minister and the Head of Staff of the GoR. Chuychenko has also been sanctioned by Canada.
Aleksandr Vladimirovich Gutsan (Gutsan) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Northwestern Federal District. Gutsan has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
Vladimir Alexandrovich Kolokoltsev (Kolokoltsev) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and Russia’s Minister of Internal Affairs. Kolokoltsev was previously designated by OFAC on April 6, 2018 pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the GoR. Kolokoltsev has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK.
Igor Anatolyevich Komarov (Komarov) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Volga Federal District. Komarov has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
Igor Victorovich Krasnov (Krasnov) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and Russia’s Prosecutor General. Krasnov was previously designated by OFAC on March 2, 2021 pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the GoR. Krasnov has also been sanctioned by Canada, the EU, Japan, and the UK.
Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko (Matviyenko) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Matviyenko previously served as Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister. Matviyenko was previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13661. Matviyenko was previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13661. Matviyenko has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK.
Dmitry Anatolievich Medvedev (Medvedev) is Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Medvedev previously served as both President and Prime Minister of Russia. Medvedev is also the chairman of the ruling United Russia party and was formerly the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gazprom. Medvedev has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK.
Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin (Mishustin) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Mishustin previously served as chief of Russia’s Federal Tax Service. Mishustin has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand, and the UK.
Sergey Yevgenyevich Naryshkin (Naryshkin) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and the Director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). Naryshkin was previously designated by OFAC pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the GoR. Naryshkin has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK.
Rashid Gumarovich Nurgaliev (Nurgaliev) is the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council. Nurgaliev has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, the EU, and the UK.
Anatoliy Anatolievich Seryshev (Seryshev) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District. In his prior role as the head of the Karelian branch of the FSB, Seryshev took part in the reportedly politically-motivated persecution of Yuri Dmitriev, a prominent local human rights activist and historian of Stalin-era terror. Seryshev has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
Igor Olegovich Shchegolev (Shchegolev) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District. He previously served as Russia’s Minister of Telecom and Mass Communications. Shchegolev was previously designated on July 16, 2014, pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the GoR. Shchegolev has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK.
Anton Germanovich Siluanov (Siluanov) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and Russia’s Finance Minister, a position he served in previously from 2011 to 2018. Siluanov has also been sanctioned by Canada.
Sergey Semyonovich Sobyanin (Sobyanin) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and the mayor of Moscow. Sobyanin has also been sanctioned by Canada and the UK.
Yuriy Petrovich Trutnev (Trutnev) is a member of Russia’s Security Council, Deputy Prime Minister, and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District. Trutnev has also been sanctioned by Canada and the UK.
Vladimir Vasilyevich Ustinov (Ustinov) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Southern Federal District. Ustinov previously served as Russia’s Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General. Ustinov was previously designated on April 5, 2018, pursuant to E.O. 13662 for being an official of the GoR. Ustinov has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, and the UK.
Anton Eduardovich Vaino (Vaino) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office. Vaino has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand, and the UK.
Vladimir Vladimirovich Yakushev (Yakushev) is a member of Russia’s Security Council and the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Urals Federal District. Yakushev has also been sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the persons above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
IMPLEMENTING EXPANSIVE NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER
Today President Biden is issuing E.O. of April 6, 2022, “Prohibiting New Investment in and Certain Services to the Russian Federation in Response to Continued Russian Federation Aggression,” to ban all new investment in the Russian Federation by U.S. persons, wherever located, as well as the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of any category of services as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to any person located in the Russian Federation. These prohibitions follow recently issued Executive Orders 14066 and 14068, which prohibit certain imports and exports involving Russia, and are consistent with commitments made by the G7 leaders to ensure that our citizens are not underwriting Putin’s war.
For more information on the individuals, entities, and vessels designated today, click here.
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“Travels to a Different Time” : 27May1975: Vienna, Austria: The Germans Are Becoming a Nuisance!
Need I describe Viennese weather anymore? I roused my low moraled body up and had an edible breakfast. I planned to have a shower but the facilities were full of Germans. I postponed my shower until after dinner. Germans in my age bracket are so easy to get along with. The elderly seem cranky and unfriendly. Perhaps they have bad war memories? It is the 30–50-year-old bracket in tourist destinations who tend to be loud, brash and swaggering and it gets worse when they drink. I speak in generalities. Austrians are more reserved than Germans. I had a long walk in the woods and was home at 16:00 for a glorious hot shower that perked up my morale. I had supper at 17:30 and after a couple of hours of listening to the sounds of the campground I drifted off to sleep. I am Budapest bound tomorrow!
RKS Film: “Donbass”: Mockumentary? Black Comedy? Absurdity? Chilling?
Sergey Loznitsa’s “Donbass” from 2018 is certainly not dated. Considering the Russian rampage in the Ukraine it is chillingly relevant.
A dozen or so vignettes explain what life is like in the Eastern Ukraine where Russian separatists attempt to steal the Donbass for Holy Mother Russia.
It is difficult to categorize the film into a neat package. It is a lesson in absurdity, colonialism and very dark humour. One gets a very Monty Python and Kafka feeling which is more chilling as the Russian backed separatists seem to believe the nonsense from a script that must have been written in The Russian Ministry of Propaganada.
The film starts off with how Russian propaganda is staged portraying Ukrainian fighters as monsters but the whole story is brought to the screen by actors. Poor actors not getting paid! And they are executed after their job is done.
The Russians then come to a maternity hospital and explain to the staff how corrupt the hospital director is stealing food, medicine and surgical instruments! The whole visit is a sham designed to show how magnificent the Russians are in stocking the hospital fridges with sausages, meat, Snicker’s Bars and medicine. The scene with the Russian militia drinking pickle juice is a new modern classic.
Another new classic scene would have to be the Russians boarding a bus for a security check but t is more a question of trying to get some lard for their soup.
There are rants of Russians at a checkpoint about how they are cleaning up the area of fascists. The poor German news team getting lambasted by a Russian officer for being fascists. We cleaned you guys up in WW2 and we are going to clean out the Donbass of fascists.
A suspected Ukrainian “exterminator” is humiliated publicly in the streets. It is a revolting scene showing the pack animal frenzy of the Russians. The same riff raff then are at a wedding ceremony full of patriotic Russian songs with some of the abusers of the exterminator attending the riotous wedding ceremony.
There are also scenes of violence and death.
I won’t go into the entire set of vignettes but if you have somewhat of a sardonic smile on your face the vicious and brutal ending of the film will leave you shocked. But of course, with what happened in Bucha and goodness knows where else lately perhaps that is Russian brutality as the new normal facing innocent civilians. At least they stocked the maternity hospital with sausages and didn’t shell it…..yet.
A few of the vignettes may leave you scratching your head but perhaps for a Ukrainian they mean something significant.
You can purchase tickets here https://hotdocs.ca/whats-on/films/donbass. In theatre showings in Toronto will be April 22/23/24/25.
You can see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udvEwh54BbM
“Travels to a Different Time” :25May1975: Vienna, Austria: Climbing the Muddy Hills with Carmen
Cold and rainy again. How super depressing. I feel like just heading south to Greece or Yugoslavia and drying out but I have a mission to complete my travels to Eastern Europe. I cooked up some breakfast and crawled back into my sleeping bag to keep warm. Carmen, the American girl from New Jersey stopped by at 15:30 and we did some hiking in the area. The rain had turned the paths into mud. We returned at 18:00 and shared a supper. Out to the local bar for a couple of beers and back home at 11. Why is this campground packed with Aussies?
26May1975: Vienna, Austria: More Wet Weather: Gotta Get Out of Here
The week begins with more wet weather. I gotta get outta here but I need an extra day with some sun to wash some clothes and my towel is sopping wet and needs to dry out. Bloody weather! I took the 49 into town and wandered around until 15:30 soaking up the imperial grandeur of the city. On the way back to the campground I stopped at Brüder Kunz to pick up some food for dinner. Read until 20:30 then off to bed. How exciting eh?
“Travels to a Different Time” : 23May1975: Vienna, Austria: I Curse the Rain
It was raining lightly when I awoke at 08:00. I cursed the rain all the more as I had to go out in it to collect my visa and hopefully my passport. Hopped on the 49 tram into town and picked up my visa and passport at the Hungarian Embassy. I wrote a letter and in my travel diary. I hit the side streets and ended up in the textile district where I made a big purchase of shoelaces. I bought some food before heading home on the 49. I went into a bakery for some bread, cheese and a pastry. I asked the elderly owner in German if she had bread and cheese and she responded with a volley of chatter most of which I didn’t understand! I had a feast upon my return in the dining room of the campsite. Well in Montreal I would hardly call my dinner a feast. I had a brief chat with some Australians and a Norwegian. At 7:30 I went to my tent and read by candlelight. I planned my route out of Vienna for Budapest. Auto-Stop here I come.
24May1975: Vienna, Austria: Out Drinking Beer with Carmen
Up and off to the store to buy some food. The stores close at noon on Saturday. Scrambled eggs for breakfast with bread. I then headed up the hill and then another path in the woods with a spectacular view of Vienna below. I just lay in the grass for awhile and took in the view. A good dinner and as I finished an American girl Carmen came up to me and asked if I wanted to buy some tram tickets as she had too many. I bought 5 from her and then we played some Frisbee. We were joined by a Yank and an Aussie. Carmen and I went out for a beer but it closed at 11 which is odd for a Saturday night. The next place had a Bavarian band with people whirling around dancing. It closed at midnight so we headed home and it began to rain. Shit!
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