RUSSIALINK: “Over 400 companies, about 200 individuals in Russia fall under U.S. sanctions – Volodin” – Interfax

Portion of U.S. Treasury Department Building Facade, North Side, with Sculpture of Alexander Hamilton

MOSCOW. May 15 (Interfax) – The United States’ sanctions now apply to more than 400 Russian companies and about 200 individuals, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin told reporters on Tuesday.

“The U.S.’ sanctions are absolutely unfriendly. They’ve been applied to more than 400 legal entities and about 200 citizens of our country, and we should do everything we can to protect the interests of our state, ensure national security, and safeguard the rights and freedoms of our citizens,” Volodin said.

The countersanctions bill that passed its first reading in the State Duma on Tuesday gives broad powers to the Russian president and government “so that they can protect the country and the economy,” Volodin said. “The policy of sanctions harms our economy above all. It violates almost every international agreement, every rule of open international trade, and we need new, effective legislation in this area,” he said.

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