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Trump Pledges to Lift Sanctions on Russia Following Charges Against Ex-Adviser
In a dramatic development, Donald Trump has vowed to lift U.S. sanctions on Russia just hours after the Justice Department unveiled charges against his former adviser, Dimitri Simes, and his wife, Anastasia. The charges accuse the couple of collaborating with a sanctioned Russian state television network and laundering over $1 million in profits.
On Thursday, the Justice Department charged the Simes duo for their work with Russia’s Channel One, including receiving substantial financial benefits and personal perks. Dimitri Simes, a figure extensively mentioned in the Mueller report, has connections with Trump allies like Jared Kushner.
During an appearance at the Economic Club of New York, Trump was asked by H. Rodgin Cohen, senior chair of Sullivan & Cromwell, whether he would alter current economic sanctions, particularly those targeting Russia. Trump responded with a fervent critique of the sanctions regime. He argued that excessive sanctions are detrimental to U.S. interests, stating, “I want to use sanctions as little as possible.”
Trump expressed concern that sanctions weaken the U.S. dollar and embolden other nations like China. “There’s so much conflict with all these countries that you’re going to lose” the dollar’s global dominance, he warned.
Reflecting on his presidency, Trump acknowledged his reluctance to impose sanctions on Russia, despite its actions and election interference. He emphasized his strategy of imposing sanctions on deserving nations but swiftly lifting them afterward.
The sanctions violated by the Simes were introduced in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, as noted by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. The indictment coincides with another Justice Department case involving Russian state media employees charged with creating content to influence U.S. audiences with concealed Russian government messaging. The case also implicated several high-profile pro-Trump influencers.