The United States is going to impose sanctions on one of the richest people in Russia, Vladimir Potanin, as well as on some of his financial companies, writes The Wall Street Journal, citing sources from among American officials.
It is expected that the sanctions will be announced as early as Thursday, December 15. They will be directed against Potanin himself, his wife Ekaterina and their yacht, officials told the publication. Also on the list, according to the interlocutors of the newspaper, is the investment holding Interros, controlled by Potanin, and Rosbank, which Interros bought from Société Générale SA earlier this year.
Potanin is a shareholder of PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, one of the world's largest producers of palladium and refined nickel. Norilsk Nickel is the source of a significant part of the oligarch's personal fortune. According to officials, the restrictions will not apply to this company.
WSJ sources believe that several members of the Russian government will also fall under the sanctions.