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Russian MP suggests hashing over tit-for-tat measures against US Treasury’s sanctions list

On April 6, Washington slapped sanctions on 7 Russian entrepreneurs, 17 government officials and state-run corporations’ heads, 12 private companies and two state institutions

MOSCOW, April 9. /TASS/. Head of the Federation Council (upper house) International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev plans to launch a discussion on tit-for-tat measures in response to the inclusion of Russian MPs being placed on the US sanctions list.

"I will offer some tit-for-tat measures both to the heads of the Federation Council and to my colleagues. We should discuss the question of whether this can be a topic for a plenary session. I’m suggesting that these measures should be discussed. I wouldn’t want to rush in and react systemically to what is happening," said Kosachev during the committee session on Monday.

According to the senator, such sanctions lists, which virtually prohibit any communication between Russian and US lawmakers, go against the principles of separation of powers and contradict the rules of democracy. "This makes me question the whole system of US democracy. How can the executive branch, in the form of some strange institutions making these decisions, infringe on the purview of the Congress and impede communication between American and Russian legislators? This contradicts the principle of separation of powers," said the Federation Council committee head.

Kosachev added that he had acquainted himself with the sanctions list published on the US Treasury’s website. He added that the list did not distinguish whatsoever between the sanctioned MP’s and terrorist organizations. "And then there will be no explanation as to why a person ended up on this list," said Kosachev. He added that, as stated in the headline, the list is compiled of people and organizations involved in terrorism or drug trafficking, or people and organizations posing a threat to the economic and foreign interests of the US.

On April 6, Washington slapped sanctions on 7 Russian entrepreneurs, 17 government officials and state-run corporations’ heads, 12 private companies and two state institutions in response to the alleged "malicious activities" of the Russian government. According to the US Treasury, the assets of 24 Russian citizens and 14 organizations will be frozen, if it falls under US jurisdiction. It is also forbidden for US citizens to form any business relationships with those on the list. The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that Moscow would provide a harsh response to the US sanctions.