7 February 2025

The U.S. Justice Department is shutting down a program that sanctioned Kremlin-linked oligarchs, launched in 2022, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced...

In Bondi’s memo, she stated that the program known as “Task Force KleptoCapture” will be discontinued, as the priority of the Trump administration is combatting drug cartels and international gangs.

Initiated under former U.S. President Joe Biden, the program aimed to financially pressure wealthy allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and penalize those involved in sanctions evasion.

While ongoing cases against Russian oligarchs will continue, the task force will no longer be centrally managed at the Justice Department.

The changes will take effect for at least 90 days, with the possibility of becoming permanent...