Likhachev called new US sanctions Washington's recognition of Rosatom's merits

The new US sanctions are Washington's recognition of Rosatom's merits. Alexei Likhachev, general director of the state corporation, told reporters on January 15.

Likhachev, quoting verbatim the US Treasury Department's decision, which states that the sanctions were imposed for "development of advanced nuclear technologies, export of nuclear power plants, development of non-nuclear activities, including new materials," pointed out that it looks more like an award list than a sanctions decision.

"There is some kind of, in my opinion, I would say, fixation of the achievements of our merits," Likhachev noted.

In addition, he separately noted the fact that the U.S. sanctions list includes almost the entire management of Rosatom, suggesting that in this way the U.S. Ministry of Finance has studied the value of the state corporation's team.

"Here we all as a team have been included in these sanctions. It is clear that there is no practical value for us there, for me, for my comrades. We do not have any assets, accounts and so on in the United States, so it is rather a demonstration of such, well, unfriendly to us recognition of our merits," added the head of the corporation.

Last chord: Biden administration imposes sweeping sanctions against Russia's oil sector

However, their future fate will depend on the decisions of US President-elect Donald Trump

Earlier, on January 10, the U.S. and Britain expanded sanctions against Russia. The list included Gazprom Neft and its head Alexander Dyukov, Surgutneftegaz, Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev, as well as 100 Russian tankers.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the restrictions, drew attention to the fact that Washington is trying to undermine the positions of Russian energy companies with the help of sanctions. The presidential spokesman emphasized that Rosatom is one of the leaders of the global nuclear market and will continue its work despite any restrictions.

Rosatom noted that the state corporation perceives the new restrictions as an element of unfair competition. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Izvestia that Biden's new sanctions on the eve of his resignation from the presidency are intended "not to leave a trace in history" but "only to leave a legacy".

Western countries increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.