Washington — On Friday, the US imposed sanctions on seven Russian oligarchs accused of supporting and profiting from President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to undermine Western democracies. Senior US officials described the wealthy international businessmen as members of Putin’s "inner circle" and said that any assets they hold in areas under US jurisdiction can be frozen. Those hit by sanctions include metals magnate Oleg Deripaska, described as operating for the Russian government, as well as Alexei Miller, director of state-owned energy giant Gazprom. In all, US President Donald Trump’s administration targeted seven oligarchs, 12 companies they own or control, 17 senior Russian officials and a state-owned arms export company. "The US is taking these actions in response to the totality of the Russian government’s ongoing and increasingly brazen pattern of malign activity across the world," one official said. "This included their occupation of Crimea, instigation of violence in eastern...
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